Sinn Féin TD for Louth and East Meath, Imelda Munster, has revealed that the number of Community Gardaí in Drogheda has dropped by 50 per cent in the last two years which she says it is a matter of “significant concern”.

Deputy Munster was commenting on figures she obtained from the Minister for Justice Helen McEtee which show that as of June 2024 there were only eight community Gardaí working in the Drogheda district - half the number in 2022.

In terms of the county, there were fourteen community Gardaí in Louth as of end of June 2024, compared with twenty three in 2022, which is a reduction of nine Gardaí.

Deputy Munster said:

“The importance of youth and community work, and the presence of community Gardaí is as clear as day to people in Drogheda, given the feud that raged in the town for several years.

“The town was subject to the most horrendous violence, thuggery and local people suffered significantly as a result.

“We know that the town is always vulnerable to criminal elements, and it’s important that we continue to protect our town, and in particular our young people, from this gangland activity. Community policing is central to that.

“Community Policing Teams carry out excellent work in communities across the state, utilising a partnership approach, and engaging with local organisations and individuals. The Gardaí involved are to be commended. But this work must be supported on a long-term basis by government.

“Obviously in 2022 we had a significant increase in community Garda numbers, and whilst I am not suggesting the number needs to remain as high as 2022 levels indefinitely, I am very concerned about the steady decline ever since then. In 2023 there were 17, and now we are down to 14.

“We need to keep up the good work of the last few years. Everyone has to be on board, including an Garda Síochána leadership and the Minister for Justice.”