Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The close connections between the gardaí and the community are key to policing by consent. The community garda really promotes this. It is very important that as gardaí in those roles move on, they are replaced as quickly as possible. We have been very fortunate across the west Cork Garda division to have had Garda James O'Mahony working so closely with young people right around the area. He established the Garda youth awards to promote connections between younger people and to recognise the huge efforts of many younger people. He is now retiring and he is possibly the oldest garda in the country. It is very important that roles like this are backfilled quickly to ensure the connection between people and the Garda is maintained, nurtured and promoted. I wish Garda O'Mahony every success in his retirement. As we move to a county area, this becomes a more challenging role, so it is very important that the roles are quickly filled in order to maintain those connections.

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