Kelly slams garda allocation as clear discrimination against Tipperary and rural Ireland
Alan Kelly accused the Justice Minister favouring Dublin
Labour TD Alan Kelly has criticised the latest allocation of newly-graduated Gardaí, calling it a “clear discrimination” against Tipperary and rural communities across Ireland.
Of the 120 recruits who graduated this week from the Garda College in Templemore, just one has been assigned to Tipperary, specifically to Nenagh Garda Station. In stark contrast, 74 new Gardaí, or roughly 62% of the class, are being deployed to stations in Dublin.
Kelly described the figures as "shocking" and pointed out that Tipperary is not alone in being overlooked. Kerry, too, received only one new Garda in this round of postings.
“This Government is clearly discriminating against rural areas,” said Kelly. “The Fianna Fáil Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan, thinks it is acceptable that Tipperary only gets one new Garda even though we have had a number of retirements in the county over the last few months.”
The Tipperary TD accused Minister O’Callaghan of prioritising his native Dublin at the expense of rural policing needs. “The Minister made sure his own city got the overwhelming majority of new recruits."
"This differential shows what Minister O’Callaghan and Fianna Fáil think of Tipperary and the county’s policing needs.”
Kelly’s comments come at a time of increasing concern over Garda resources in rural areas, where community leaders and residents have long warned of understaffing and stretched services.