Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach for selecting for debate as a Commencement matter the question of the lack of a full and comprehensive Garda station in Maynooth, County Kildare. I spoke to officials in the Garda Commissioner's office yesterday to confirm some facts, which I will now outline. Maynooth Garda station opens for two hours a day from Monday to Friday. The highest ranking officer in the station is a sergeant. This is an issue of concern in light of a vicious attack that took place outside the local university recently. I will not go into the details of this ongoing matter, other than to say that the incident has heightened tensions, sensitivities and awareness of security among local residents. Numerous councillors from all parties have contacted my office in the past two weeks to ask what is going on. There is an unusual dynamic in Maynooth because there are 14,000 people coming and going on the university campus and a further 16,000 people living in the immediate catchment area. This means that the Garda station has to police 30,000 people, which is a huge number by any stretch of the imagination.

There is a general feeling in the north Kildare area that something needs to be done. There are Garda stations in Leixlip and in Clane. The people of Maynooth are crying out for the Garda station in the town to be fully resourced so that it can open seven days a week. Members of the Dáil from all parties and none have spoken previously at length about the need to do something. It is certainly not acceptable that the Garda station opens for just two hours a day, five days a week, and is of such limited capacity. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Stanton, for coming to the House and I look forward to hearing what he feels he can do.