by Alan Jacques
GARDA numbers in the Limerick division have dropped by almost 13 per cent in the last four years.
Responding to a parliamentary question from Limerick Fianna Fáil TD Willie O’Dea, Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald said the number of Gardaí in the Limerick division declined from 637 in 2011 to 555 this year, which was a reduction of 82.
Deputy O’Dea has raised serious concerns at the drop in Garda numbers particularly in view of the increase in anti-social behaviour and petty crime.
“Petty theft and anti-social behaviour is rife, much of it going unreported as people believe the Gardaí won’t have the time to take these crimes seriously.
“Communities across Limerick are crying out for extra Gardaí as a deterrent to anti-social behaviour, but senior Gardaí tell me they just don’t have the personnel to patrol these areas as regularly as is required.”
He believes a visible Garda presence is now needed to reassure people they can live in peace in their own homes.
“Senior Gardaí in Limerick have informed me that they are worried about the new generations of crime gangs coming up. We have to stop the rot; otherwise we will see resurgence in gangland crime, which the Gardaí dealt with so successfully in the past,” he said.
In response to Deputy O’Dea, Minister Fitzgerald said she was assured by Garda management that the needs of all Garda Divisions are fully considered when determining the allocation of new Gardaí.
“I have been informed that nine of these new Gardaí have been assigned to the Limerick Division,” she added.
