Shankill Garda area and staffing
The Minister said Shankill’s area was unchanged, its population had grown from about 6,300 to 15,000, and Garda strength from seven to 15 between 1967 and 1977. He acknowledged the need for more gardaí and said the Commissioner might consider extra staffing when more became available.
asked the Minister for Justice the area within the general responsibility of the Garda station at Shankill, County Dublin on (a) 1st September, 1967, and (b) 1st September, 1977; the number of gardaí attached to the station on each of these dates; and the approximate population of the area in question on each of the dates.
Comment on this
The area within the general responsibility of Shankill Garda Station, which has not changed since 1st September, 1967, can most conveniently be described by listing the townlands concerned. These total 19 and, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to have a list of them circulated with the Official Report.
The strength of Shankill Garda Station on 1st September, 1967, was seven; on 1st September, 1977, it was 15. The population of the sub-district on those dates is estimated at 6,300 and 15,000, respectively.
Following is the list referred to:—
Townlands in Shankill Sub-District.
1. Aske.
2. Ballyman.
3. Corke Great.
4. Corke Little.
5. Old Connaught.
6. Ballycorus.
7. Glebe.
8. Johnston.
9. Rathmichael.
10. Shanganagh.
11. Shankill.
12. Ballinalea (Urban Part).
13. Rocheshill.
14. Ballybrack.
15. Hacketsland.
16. Kilbogget (Urban Part).
17. Loughlinstown (Urban Part).
18. Loughlinstown Common.
19. Killiney.
Comment on this
Would the Minister agree that those figures indicate the need for substantially greater policing in that area than is at present supplied by the Garda?
Comment on this
I believe there is need for a greater number of gardaí not alone in Dublin and Shankill but in many other parts of the country and I am doing something definite about easing the situation as of now.
Comment on this
Will the Minister not accept that the effective strength of that station is reduced because many of the gardaí there have to go on permanent guard duty for security reasons on certain houses in the area? Can he let us know when an increase can be expected?
Comment on this
I would like to think —and this is primarily a matter for the Garda Commissioner—that when there are more gardaí available to him as there will be by Christmas he will look at the needs of Shankill and if possible provide extra manpower.
