Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the great work the Garda is doing and the Minister's personal interest in this matter. His visit to the town was important. However, the fact remains that Drogheda does not have an adequate number of gardaí. The extra 18 gardaí are welcome and have transformed Drogheda, giving confidence to the community. However, they are needed into the future. I wrote to the Garda Commissioner to ask him to visit Drogheda. He visited Longford recently and it is incumbent on him to meet the community in Drogheda. It would help to assure people that the resources required would be provided. I cannot accept that there will not be an increase in the number of gardaí based permanently in Drogheda.

When I speak to gardaí, the superintendent and the chief superintendent, they tell me they need and have asked for permanent gardaí who have not yet been assigned. I will raise the matter in the new year if I must.

I welcome the actions of the Garda and the Minister's support and commitment. The Garda Commissioner and the political system must put the resources into Drogheda that it is entitled to so the people worrying in their beds at night are not the good and decent people of Moneymore but rather the criminals who cause all the trouble for everybody. They are small in number.

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