Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am glad that the Minister for Justice and Equality is here to speak about the acute and severe shortage of Garda members in the Clonmel district. I have spoken to Chief Superintendent Dominic Hayes and Superintendent Willie Leahy. At least 25 gardaí are needed to bring the Clonmel district which covers Carrick-on-Suir up to normal numbers. We have an acute problem with drugs and drug gangs. We are looking perilously at Drogheda, Longford and other areas and going to be there if action is not taken. I support what gardaí on the ground are doing, but they just do not have the manpower, womanpower or drugs squad members to deal with the problem. The wonderful communities in Clonmel and Carrick-on-Suir are being ravaged by drugs, drug gangs, cartels and vagabonds of all kinds. All measures of the law are needed to take these people off the streets and deal with them. There is no point in talking about the resources being given to the Garda nationally. We need more members of the force in the Clonmel district.

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