16 December 2016
By Elaine Murphy
elaine@TheCork.ie
- Nine Gardaí lost in last 12 months
- Cumulative loss of 56 since 2010
Cork North Central TD, Billy Kelleher has said he is disappointed to see the slide in Garda numbers continuing despite a new government having been formed, and Garda recruitment being restarted.
Following receipt of a parliamentary reply from the Minister for Justice, Frances Fitzgerald, it’s clear that Cork City is not getting its fair share of new Garda deployments.
“At present in the 16 Garda stations in the City Division, there are 648 Gardaí compared to 657 at the end of 2015. This drop of nine follows on from a previous reduction of 47 Gardaí between 2010 and 2015.”
“Communities across the city are concerned about their safety. Continual reductions in the overall force strength will mean less Gardaí on the beat and a much reduced visible presence. This is not acceptable.”
“Many in the City may be unaware that a reorganisation of Garda stations and the division took place over the last number of years. If we compare like for like, the overall reduction in Cork City Garda numbers is 66,” said the Fianna Fáil TD.
“The recent paramilitary activity in the city should be a major concern for senior Garda management. There needs to be a significant boost in the number of Gardaí in the city.”
“Despite a large number of new Gardaí hitting the streets across the country, it’s now clear that Cork City is not getting its fair share, and this needs to be rectified.”
“Minister Fitzgerald must surely accept that in the light of recent events and on foot of the fall in numbers over the past year that the Garda presence in Cork must be bolstered.”
“Over the next five years, it is proposed to add an additional 2000 Gardaí to the force. Cork City deserves, if we follow current force strength ratios, at least 100 new Gardaí with Cork County deserving another 200,” concluded Kelleher.
