Menu
31/03/2015
Cuts In Garda Resources Putting Communities At Risk - FF
Almost 6 out of every 10 requests for armed escorts for the transportation of dangerous criminals were denied last year, according to new figures obtained by Fianna Fáil.
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Justice Niall Collins questioned the Minister for Justice who confirmed that the prison service requested an armed garda escort for prisoner transfers on 166 occasions last week. Only 69 of these requests could be granted.
Deputy Collins has said it's another example of cuts in garda resources putting communities at risk.
He said: "It is shocking to think that so many violent prisoners are being transported through our streets without an armed guard. The requests for armed escorts are only made when the prison service believes that a convicted criminal is dangerous enough to attempt an escape or to pose a very serious threat to public safety. It is completely unacceptable that only 4 out of every 10 requests could be filled last year.
"This is clearly a resources issue. Garda resources have been slashed to the bone. Numbers in the force have fallen far below what the Government itself has admitted is a safe level. We are facing a retirement exodus from the force, with no new qualified gardaí ready to fill the major gaps in frontline policing. Taking into consideration the officers who are eligible to retire right now, the numbers who are on sick leave on any given day and the numbers on incentivised career breaks, the reality is that the number of active members on the force could drop way below 11,000 tomorrow."
(CD/MH)
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Justice Niall Collins questioned the Minister for Justice who confirmed that the prison service requested an armed garda escort for prisoner transfers on 166 occasions last week. Only 69 of these requests could be granted.
Deputy Collins has said it's another example of cuts in garda resources putting communities at risk.
He said: "It is shocking to think that so many violent prisoners are being transported through our streets without an armed guard. The requests for armed escorts are only made when the prison service believes that a convicted criminal is dangerous enough to attempt an escape or to pose a very serious threat to public safety. It is completely unacceptable that only 4 out of every 10 requests could be filled last year.
"This is clearly a resources issue. Garda resources have been slashed to the bone. Numbers in the force have fallen far below what the Government itself has admitted is a safe level. We are facing a retirement exodus from the force, with no new qualified gardaí ready to fill the major gaps in frontline policing. Taking into consideration the officers who are eligible to retire right now, the numbers who are on sick leave on any given day and the numbers on incentivised career breaks, the reality is that the number of active members on the force could drop way below 11,000 tomorrow."
(CD/MH)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
11 March 2008
Gunman Arrested In Dublin
Gardai in Dublin have arrested a man after an attempted armed robbery of a pub in Chapelizod, early this morning. Officers were called to The Villager pub at around 1am. The man, armed with a shotgun, was demanding cash from the barman when two gardai entered. The gunman turned his weapon on one of the officers, who disarmed him and made an arrest.
Gunman Arrested In Dublin
Gardai in Dublin have arrested a man after an attempted armed robbery of a pub in Chapelizod, early this morning. Officers were called to The Villager pub at around 1am. The man, armed with a shotgun, was demanding cash from the barman when two gardai entered. The gunman turned his weapon on one of the officers, who disarmed him and made an arrest.
15 May 2019
Dublin Shooting Sparks Worry Over Fine Gael's Control Of Gang Crime
A shooting in Donaghmede, a residential suburb of north Dublin, has prompted questions over how Fine Gael is handling gangland crime in the area. Labour Senator Aodhán Ó Riordáin's comments follow the "indiscriminate shooting", which he believes is one in a number of escalating offences.
Dublin Shooting Sparks Worry Over Fine Gael's Control Of Gang Crime
A shooting in Donaghmede, a residential suburb of north Dublin, has prompted questions over how Fine Gael is handling gangland crime in the area. Labour Senator Aodhán Ó Riordáin's comments follow the "indiscriminate shooting", which he believes is one in a number of escalating offences.
18 September 2015
Cash For Gold Sector Regulations Welcomed
The Minister for Justice has been urged to "not drag her heels" on the promise of regulation of the Cash for Gold sector, Fianna Fáil has said. The party's Dublin South West Councillor, John Lahart, has raised concerns of a link between the "out of control Cash for Gold industry and the surge of burglaries in Dublin".
Cash For Gold Sector Regulations Welcomed
The Minister for Justice has been urged to "not drag her heels" on the promise of regulation of the Cash for Gold sector, Fianna Fáil has said. The party's Dublin South West Councillor, John Lahart, has raised concerns of a link between the "out of control Cash for Gold industry and the surge of burglaries in Dublin".
13 November 2018
Additional Garda Resources Needed In Drogheda
Additional garda resources are needed to tackle the escalating criminal feud in Drogheda, which has caused a series of violent incidents in the town in recent weeks, Sinn Féin TD for Louth, Imelda Munster has said.
Additional Garda Resources Needed In Drogheda
Additional garda resources are needed to tackle the escalating criminal feud in Drogheda, which has caused a series of violent incidents in the town in recent weeks, Sinn Féin TD for Louth, Imelda Munster has said.
10 February 2016
Additional Garda Resources Announced To Help Fight Gangland Crime
An additional package of measures to help garda tackle gangland crime has been announced by Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald. The additional resources are to be secured with funding of €5m and allow Gardai to "sustain and intensify saturation policing in Dublin City", including multiple rolling checkpoints and patrols.
Additional Garda Resources Announced To Help Fight Gangland Crime
An additional package of measures to help garda tackle gangland crime has been announced by Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald. The additional resources are to be secured with funding of €5m and allow Gardai to "sustain and intensify saturation policing in Dublin City", including multiple rolling checkpoints and patrols.
-
Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
