Tipperary TD calls out lack of Garda resources in North Tipperary

Alan Kelly TD raised the issue during a Dáil sitting on Wednesday 23rd October

Tipperary TD Alan Kelly has brought up the issue of the lack of Garda resources in North Tipperary in the Dáil.

Speaking in the Dail Deputy Kelly said ‘We have known about the issues regarding Garda presence across north Tipperary for some time. It comes up in our office every week. There are huge recruitment and retention issues across the country for An Garda Síochána. I know of two local people who wanted to join the force and went to their local sergeant for advice.

"By the time they left, they were no longer interested in joining. I know of a situation in the south east where a number of gardaí just left their jobs and went to Australia. Recently, a member of the force left to join Irish Rail, for better pay and conditions, as I understand it. This issue is ongoing. If the Government does not face up to this we are in serious trouble. The issue is not just in Tipperary and Clare. Pay and conditions and the work culture are massive issues in the force."

Deputy Kelly said that there are only six Gardai on Duty to cover East Clare to Roscrea.

"As a division, why Tipperary-Clare was set up is bizarre because it is a logistical nightmare. Many of the gardaí are burnt out. We have very few foot patrols due to the lack of police on the ground. This is a serious issue in Nenagh, Thurles, Roscrea, Newport, Templemore and everywhere else.

"We have a situation where, on some days of the week, there are six gardaí, two in Newport-Killaloe, two in Nenagh on outside duty and one or two in the Roscrea area. That is not sufficient. When are we all going to wake up? This is just referring to the division in my own area. Unless pay and conditions are improved and the job becomes a vocation that people want to get into we are not going to have the police force we require." Kelly concluded.