A public meeting is to be held in East Meath over the increasing failure to secure a new Garda station for the area.
The move comes amid growing local frustration at the state of the current station in Laytown,which is tiny, outdated, can only accommodate a small number of Garda members,is not fit for purpose and unsuited for one of the fastest growing population areas in the country,the combined region of Mornington, Bettystown, and Laytown.
The meeting is being organised by the Sinn Fein TD for Meath East Darren O’Rourke and the party’s local councillor Maria White so the public can have their say on the saga.
It will be held in the Village Hotel, Bettystown on Tuesday, November twenty fifth at 8pm.
The lack of adequate Garda numbers in East Meath will also be up for discussion.
Cllr Maria White said: “The most recent census showed Co. Meath is one of the fastest growing counties in the country. It is evident that East Meath is expanding in population at a faster rate than the rest of the county.
“Meath has continued to rapidly grow in population size, yet we are consistently provided with the least amount of Garda per head of population in the state. The people of County Meath suffer because of this government’s failure to provide sufficient Gardaí to match the population of our communities in Meath. The people of East Meath suffer, in particular, as a direct result of this failure.
“We are all aware of the increased incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour across the county. This has been explained by local people and businesses in our communities who feel less safe.
“The lack of Gardaí visibility, in permanent 24/7 stations and ‘on the beat’ in our communities is an important factor in this. Having enough Gardaí permanently based in communities deployed to frontline duties is essential.”
In early 2022, then Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, welcomed a commitment to build a new Garda station in Laytown.
It is almost 4 years on, and Sinn Fein claim there has been little progress made.
Cllr White added:” It is crystal clear that we need to ensure that Meath is no longer left to the bottom of the pile and provided with sufficient numbers of Gardaí and resources to cater for the significant increase in population size.
“On Tuesday 25th November at 8pm in the Village Hotel, Bettystown, I will host a public meeting along with Darren O’Rourke TD and Sinn Féin Justice spokesperson, Matt Carthy TD, to provide an update on the work we have been doing to urge this government to provide sufficient Garda resources for the people of Meath and to deliver the long-awaited new Garda station in Laytown. All are welcome to attend.”
Deputy Darren O’Rourke said:“It is incredible that Meath is continuously left behind when it comes to Garda provisions. We have a rapidly expanding population and a completely inadequate number of Gardaí to cater for the county.
“Year after year we are left deflated when we see an insufficient number of Gardaí provided to the county, while crime and anti-social behaviour continues to grow. Cllr White and Iwill keep the pressure on Minister O’Callaghan and this government to provide adequate numbers of Gardaí and a new, fully functioning 24/7 Garda station in Laytown.”
