A CALL has been made to lift the embargo on the recruitment of gardaí as the force is set to be further depleted with retirements in the next three years.
The motion was put before a full meeting of Limerick County Council by Independent Cllrs Brigid Teefy and Patrick C Fitzgerald.
“The numbers of gardaí have dropped from a high of over 14,600 in 2010 to 13,500 at the end of February, even though the population has increased by eight per cent in the last census.
“The last recruitment was in June 2009.
“We are all aware criminal activity is ongoing, especially opportunist thefts, break-ins to cars, houses raided when people are out, even for just a short time at mass, funerals, schools, or shops”.
Ms said that a lack of a garda presence has left many people feeling afraid in their own homes.
“That is why it is so important to have the garda presence in the area for monitoring and surveillance of these gangs who are travelling around and with the declining numbers that is going to be very difficult to maintain”.
Cllr Teefy said she is aware of the financial situation facing the Department of Justice at present but that it takes two years to train gardaí at Templemore so, along with another year for the recruitment process.
“In that period of time there will be more retirements from the force so we should have replacements ready for that”, the Castleconnell area councillor told the Limerick Post.
“The biggest impact of decreasing numbers will be seen in rural areas where one retirement will make a big difference if the garda is not replaced.
“We have a first class policing service in the county but it is vital that recruitment begins immediately to maintain this service”.
Supporting his colleague, Cllr Fitzgerald said that Templemore Garda Training College should be fully opened to ensure a full-strength garda force.
“Should the embargo continue for the next three years a six year lapse will take place with retirement and the non training of gardaí.
“Numbers will return to the 1998 level of 10,000 gardaí, 5,000 less than the peak strength”.
The motion received cross-party support.
