Commissioner to revert to Munster on the issue
Sinn Féin TD Imelda Munster has accused Garda Commissioner Drew Harris of being out of touch with the reality on the ground in Drogheda.
At a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee Deputy Munster asked Commissioner Harris why Drogheda’s Garda numbers are falling, given the recent experience the town has had with gangland feuding.
Commissioner Harris agreed that engaging with the community represents best practice, describing An Garda Síochána as ‘an exemplar’ in this area.
Deputy Munster said:
“I followed this up with a question about the falling numbers of community policing personnel in Drogheda, several years on from the feud. Commissioner Harris confirmed that the numbers have stayed static for the last 6 or 7 years nationwide.
“I raised the fact that in December 2021 there were 152 Gardaí in the Drogheda/Dunleer/Clogherhead area, and in May 2023 there was 146, or six fewer. A Garda submission that I had sight of last year said that ‘on a daily basis it is now accepted that there will not be a Garda on the beat’ further illustrates this point.
“Commissioner Harris said that he was ‘unaware of that’, which is a matter of enormous concern when it comes to dealing with gang-related crimes and ensure that the situation doesn’t escalate further.
Commenting, Deputy Munster said:
“How is this best practice in Community Policing? The people of Drogheda went through hell – with murders, shootings, attacks on houses, the works. That Garda numbers would have fallen a couple of years later defies logic.
“I asked Commissioner Harris about the increase in violence in Drogheda. We’re now back to hearing about violence, open drug-dealing and intimidation again.
“There have clearly been no lessons learned here. Commissioner Harris needs to tune in to what’s happening in Drogheda and ensure that the town is treated fairly in terms of Garda resourcing and personnel.”
Commissioner Harris said he would revert to Deputy Munster on this matter.
