Tipperary TD describes the new Garda model as an ‘abject failure’
Tipperary TD Mattie McGrath has called the new Garda operating model an “abject failure”.
Despite the new model only being in effect since August 27, the deputy told the Tipperary Joint Policing committee that it was making “a bad situation worse.”
He said just because the Oireachtas passed it didn’t mean it was a good idea.
He accused the Garda Commissioner of not listening to those on the ground.
“He has lost the dressing room,” said Mr McGrath.
He also accused Chief Supt Colm O’Sullivan of being “disrespectful” when he ignored the deputy’s request for his phone number.
Chief Supt O’Sullivan said the new model was the result of recommendations made by the Future of Policing Commission.
According to the Chief Superintendent, the main change to policing in Tipperary is that geographical districts have become “functional areas.”
This means that superintendents in the four areas of Tipperary and Clare are responsible for community policing.
There are now separate superintendents responsible for specific functions like complaints, procedures and compliance and serious crime.
“Nothing has changed in terms of the services we provide to the community,” said Chief Supt O’Sullivan.
He said the team in Tipperary were “fantastic.”
Chief Supt O’Sullivan told Deputy McGrath that he never refused him his phone number and that when he had tried to make contact, he called him back from Thurles Garda Station.
Councillors Noel Coonan and Hughie McGrath said they found it concerning that the opinion of the public and rank and file gardai was that the new model cannot work.
However, the Chief Superintendent said it had worked in Mayo, Roscommon and Longford.
It didn’t work for Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim, he said, but that just meant Donegal will be its own functional area and Sligo and Leitrim will remain as one.
He said change was hard, but everyone will eventually see the benefits of the new system.
Cllr Fiona Bonfield joined the voices of concern, saying she received a call that morning that a garda car had to be diverted from Newport to Killaloe.