SINN Féin TD Maurice Quinlivan has called for an increase in the number of Community Gardaí in Limerick.
Deputy Quinlivan criticised Fine Gael for what he termed “the slashing of Garda numbers in Limerick” and how organised crime has been “allowed to thrive in areas where there are high levels of deprivation”.
Speaking in the Dáil chamber, Deputy Quinlivan said: “The threat posed by organised crime and the violence is a present danger to society. Too often it is innocent people impacted by these gangs and too often it is our communities that suffer.”
“Fine Gael have been responsible for the Justice Department for the last 13 years and in this time organised crime has spiralled. Their light touch approach has seen them slash Garda numbers, shut police stations, and abandon communities, some of these in Limerick.”
Highlighting the challenges facing Limerick communities, he maintained that in many cases these criminals can run amok without any fear of consequence.
“They can intimidate and threaten with near impunity because there is not a sufficient Garda presence. People regularly travel to Limerick from across the State to buy crack cocaine.
“In one area of Limerick outside the local crèche often in full sight of the children, people can be seen shooting up, this has been allowed to continue for more than a year.
“While murders may grab the headlines, as they should, it is the lower-level intimidation, casual violence, and anti-social behaviour of these gangs that do significant damage to community cohesion and trust in the role of the judiciary.”
Limerick communities, particularly those close to the city, Deputy Quinlivan insisted, need community Gardaí. Without them being at the heart of the community, trust can be lost, he told the Dáil, and it is a division that can be avoided.
“This important aspect of policing has been cut, cut, and cut again. Across Limerick in 2008 we had 92 Community Gardaí. In March 2024, there were 22 Community Gardaí. How can the Gardai get to know the community they serve when they aren’t embedded in it?” he asked.
