Garda numbers in Limerick
Deputy Quinlivan describes fear and poor Garda response in Limerick city and gives examples from constituents. The Tánaiste says bodycams are helping, more gardaí are wanted, and options such as a second Garda college are being considered.
I raise the lack of gardaí in Limerick city and the perceived lack of a Garda response. In recent days, I have spoken to many community leaders who have all used the same words - "tense", "fear" and "dread" - to describe the situation. It is not fair that communities are left like this. This week alone, I was contacted by several constituents. One said a car was speeding around the area all day and there were no gardaí about. Another resident said that five motorbikes were speeding around doing wheelies since that morning and they could not get through to the Garda station. I know people in other areas will say this also but we need more gardaí in Limerick. When the new recruits come out of Templemore the Tánaiste has to ensure their deployment is not only based on population but on need. Limerick has that need.
I am making several specific requests today, one of which is for more gardaí for Limerick from among those coming out of Templemore. The gardaí in Limerick do a fantastic job when they are available but they cannot be deployed or respond if they do not exist.
I also ask that the Tánaiste support an application that has been made for CCTV for the Garryowen area. Garryowen is a large area.
It is caught between two areas where there are cameras so everything is being concentrated in Garryowen. I request additional gardaí for Limerick and CCTV for Garryowen.
Comment on this
I thank Deputy Quinlivan for raising this issue in respect of Limerick city, which he raises regularly. I am pleased to remind us all that Limerick was one of the first areas in the country to get bodycams as part of the pilot roll-out. We also saw the first conviction as a result of bodycams in Limerick. I have no doubt that measure is supporting gardaí in the work they are doing in Limerick. Of course, we all want to see more gardaí. That is why Templemore is working at full throttle again and why we are looking at options for a second Garda college. Where gardaí are allocated is a matter for the Garda Commissioner but I will certainly pass the Deputy's views regarding Limerick city and CCTV for the Garryowen area on to the Minister for justice.