Andrew Carey
AS THE fall-out from the garda penalty points whistleblower and garda phone recording controversies rumbles on, Limerick people are being called upon to support the morale beaten and beligured force.
As Minister for Justice Alan Shatter defended a motion of no confidence in the Dail this week, Limerick City West Fianna Fáil Local Election Candidate, Seán Lynch, has called on the public to support the force on the ground.
Mr Lynch, a retired Detective Garda, said the rank and file Gardaí have been unfairly drawn into the controversy involving the Minister Alan Shatter and Garda whistleblowers.
“The local Garda is still very much part and parcel of the community,” he said.
“Minister Alan Shatter has brought the force into disrepute by the treatment of the whistleblowers. The rank and file Gardaí have been the real victims here and the Minister has sought to continually undermine their work.
“Morale in the Gardaí is at an all-time low because of this and most people know of the good work that An Garda Siochana do.
“Local Garda stations have been closed, the Garda recruitment campaign is not credible, social welfare offices have shut, small schools are in danger of closing; the list goes on”, added the retired garda.
“The conditions that some Gardaí have to work under are appalling; the force is not been adequately resourced. Despite these difficulties; the Gardaí still need the public’s support and I hope the people of Limerick will continue to do so as they have done over the years.”
