An East Meath resident has described the Garda coverage in the area as “totally unacceptable” after trying in vain to report a crime that he witnessed outside his home late one night earlier this week.
When the man, who wishes to remain anonymous, went to Laytown Garda Station next morning to report the suspected crime he was shocked to discover there was no one there.
“There was a notice at the door stating that its opening hours are confined to just four hours weekly – 10am-12noon each Sunday and Monday. It was the same story at Duleek Garda Station where a similar two hour arrangement applies – on Fridays and Saturdays.”
“These days, there’s no longer a “green man” buzzer on the door of smaller stations that used to provide a live link to each District’s main 24/7 station” he said.
The man told Drogheda Life that when he finally called the Garda station in Ashbourne heh got no reply and the phone just rang out!
“It’s ridiculous anyway that Laytown reports to distant Ashbourne rather than Drogheda, just minutes away from either Laytown or Duleek stations,” said the aggrieved resident.
“We’ve had local political representatives trumpeting about progress in relation to local Garda coverage, but this certainly isn’t progress. Laytown and Duleek need to be reinstated as part of the Drogheda District as existed heretofore.”
“My ultimate and only option to connect with the local Garda structure would have been to call 999/112, but my issue didn’t warrant that.
“I would have serious concern if there had been an accident; break-in; robbery or assault though.”
“Just how well resourced are local Gardaí to respond?” he asked – “that’s if you were able to contact them in the first place!”
