Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am glad to have the opportunity to debate the falling Garda numbers in my constituency, in counties Roscommon and Galway. It is an issue I have consistently raised and highlighted many times. I recognise the work of An Garda Síochána and its members across the State, as I know every Member of this House would do. In recent months in particular, we have got to know our community gardaí better because, unfortunately, there has been a spate of burglaries across Roscommon and Galway. Earlier this year, when this happened, it began in my home area of west Roscommon. I engaged with local gardaí and we arranged a community meeting, which was beneficial for local gardaí, community gardaí and the community. This is something that should be rolled out more often. Of course, it is difficult because the Garda resources are not there, but it should be looked at. On the back of that, we then rolled out more community alert areas, which are very beneficial. Muintir na Tíre also plays an important role in this regard.

The lack of Garda visibility across communities is a very serious issue and one that I feel is getting worse. I want to be clear that in everything I say in this criticism, it is not aimed at the gardaí themselves. They are under huge pressure and they are stretched.

I want to give one example, although I will not name the town, which is in my constituency. A number of business owners, elected representatives and gardaí met recently and the gardaí told us that this particular town was top of the list in regard to antisocial behaviour and an area of concern in regard to crime. We were told in no uncertain terms that there were no gardaí to put on the beat. What we were offered was a checkpoint and roads policing. That was totally unacceptable and, frankly, irrelevant to the issues that were being raised and that remain an issue in the town itself.

County Roscommon has two Garda districts, Roscommon and Castlerea. Before Covid, there were 171 gardaí in the county whereas there are 146 today. Castlerea district comprises four large towns, Ballaghaderreen, Boyle, Castlerea and Strokestown, and six villages, Tulsk, Keadue, Ballinlough, Elfin, Frenchpark and Rooskey. The census 2022 data tells us there is a population in those areas of 11,297 people and there are 68 gardaí in the district. Garda numbers have fallen in every single district in this area, from Boyle to Castlerea, and where gardaí were previously in smaller villages like Ballinlough and Elfin before Covid, there are now none in those areas. Again, that is a cause of concern for people who live in those villages.

The amalgamation of the Boyle and Castlerea districts in 2012 was a mistake as the area is far too large for that. I understand there are two Garda patrol cars at night in this area, which runs from Ballyfarnan at the top of north Roscommon to Cloonfad, a distance of 67 km. Two Garda cars are nowhere near enough. This needs to be reviewed and it is an issue I have put to the Garda Commissioner. There are just four community gardaí in County Roscommon. Unfortunately, the situation is no better at the other end of my constituency. Ballinasloe is the county town of Galway and has a population of 6,597 people, but Garda numbers have been falling consistently, year on year. Before Covid, there were 46 gardaí in Ballinasloe and there are 38 today. Community garda numbers in Galway have been falling, year on year, and are down to 21 at the moment between the city and county.

There is a serious problem. If we are going to get this sorted out, we need to recognise the problem. We need more gardaí and we need them on the beat.

See this speech in context