FIANNA Fáil TD Willie O’Dea has hit out at what he described as a “tidal wave” of anti-social behaviour in Limerick as he raised concerns in the Dáil about low Garda numbers in the city and county.
Addressing Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, O’Dea said a lack of Garda resources is having a severe impact on local people’s lives and petitioned the Fine Gael party leader for information on when the issue will be addressed.
“In 2011, 13 years ago, the number of Gardaí policing Limerick was 637. It shrank to 612 in 2020. It has now shrunk again to 585. That is against a background of a substantially and rapidly increased population, and a tidal wave of anti-social behaviour which is making miserable the lives of many people in my constituency,” Deputy O’Dea claimed.
“I deal with cases of people who are literally under a curfew in their homes, people who are not even safe in their own homes, and people whose kids cannot access local playgrounds put there at the expense of the State because of intimidation.”
In response, the Taoiseach acknowledged Limerick as one of a number of places that currently needs more Garda resources.
“Blanchardstown in my constituency is another. The number of Gardaí peaked in 2020. Templemore was closed as a consequence of Covid. It has now reopened and we expect the total number of Gardaí to stabilise this year and begin increasing throughout the year.
“Some 746 trainee Gardaí entered Templemore in 2023, the highest number since 2018. A new recruitment campaign is underway. There are also more Garda staff and better vehicles and equipment, which free up Garda time,” the Taoiseach explained.
