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

Following the murder of Keane Mulready-Woods in Drogheda a year ago, there was a major Garda response that has been very successful, with a significant increase in the number of full-time gardaí in our town. At the same time an inquiry was set up by Mr. Vivian Geiran, the former head of the Probation Service, into what needs to change in our area to provide resources to beat criminals and put them away as long as possible.

One of the resource issues identified was inadequate Garda support in east Meath, with more than 20,000 people having no access to a full-time Garda station. Members of the Garda there operate from a bungalow and if there is an issue, they must ring Ashbourne or Duleek to get support. It is not that the Garda does not wish to get the service but rather that resources are not there.

Recently, over two weekends there were very serious public order incidents, with a serious assault of a young person. The Garda must be able to respond. The Garda Commissioner is aware of this.

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