The new Chief Superintendent of the Meath Division, John Dollard, has announced that a number of improvements are to be made to the policing of the Laytown Garda District.
Laytown is currently paired with Duleek Station and has a complement of three units which consists of one Inspector, three Sergeants and 15 Gardai. Chief Superintendent confirmed at the recent Joint Policing Committee Public Meeting, that another unit from Duleek will be stationed in Laytown In the coming weeks, bringing the complement of staff at Laytown to one Inspector, four Sergeants and 20 Gardai.
Welcoming the news, local Fine Gael Councillor Sharon Tolan said that new Community Policing Unit for the Laytown and Duleek sub-division will be based in Duleek that will consist of one Sergeant and five Gardai, that will deliver a comprehensive Community Policing Plan for the Laytown, Bettystown, Donacarney, Mornington, Julianstown and Duleek area.
“Further welcome news was the announcement that Laytown Station is to be designated as a Training Station, meaning new recruits will be based in Laytown as part of their training schedule” Cllr.Tolan said.
“On Thursday night I met with the new Chief Superintendent and his leadership team here in Meath, where he outlined a number of very positive changes for the Laytown Garda Station.
“I have been highlighting the policing issues of East Meath for a long time now, and I am delighted to hear that an extra unit will be stationed in Laytown very soon. I am also very excited that the Laytown Station will be a designated Training Station. New recruits will bring extra boots and energy on the ground here in East Meath, and as part of their training they will be getting involved with community projects, which will be a welcome extra dimension.
“I have always been a firm advocate for Community Policing so I am delighted to hear that a new Community Policing Unit, which will be stationed in Duleek, will be delivering a focused Community Policing Plan for all of East Meath including Laytown, Bettystown, Donacarney, Morinington, Julianstown and Duleek.
“Chief Superintendent Dollard stressed to me that he is committed to enhancing the Garda numbers and service in the whole East Meath area, and I welcome that.
“I will continue to highlight the need for a new fit for purpose station on a new independent site. I don’t believe the current location is suitable for expansion or refurbishment.”
