Taoiseach agrees that more gardaí are needed in Tipperary
However Micheál Martin said he "understood" that rural burglaries was down 75% since 2016
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has agreed that more gadaí are needed in Tipperary, and said that while “quite substantial numbers have gone into cities” that “we will get around” to towns like Clonmel. The intention, said the Taoiseach, is to “substantially increase” the number of gardaí in towns like Clonmel and elsewhere as the gardaí continue to come through Templemore.
He was speaking in response to allegations made by Deputy Mattie McGrath of the “ongoing neglect” of county Tipperary regarding garda numbers.
“So far this year, Clonmel in the Tipperary-Clare division, which was a disastrous move, got only one new Garda recruit while at the same time we lost one of the recruits from last year who did not stay in the job” said Deputy McGrath
The district was in fact allocated two gardaí in 2026, both to Clonmel, one in February and one in the most recent passing out in early May.
He went on to commend local gardaí, but criticise the resources.
“I salute Garda Fiona Gleeson in Clonmel and her other three colleagues, and Sergeant O'Leary in the community policing section. That is badly needed. They do a great job but they do not have enough of them.
“They are pulled off the community unit every other time there is an issue and shortages. An amount of time is wasted in courts and on other situations that they should not be dealing with.
“Without additional gardaí, there cannot be a response. Gardaí in Cahir, Tipperary town, Carrick-on-Suir, Cashel and Clonmel do not have the numbers to send out a squad car. It is scary and it is not good enough".
Deputy McGrath went on to describe an incident which was reported to him by a constituent.
“On a dark night last November, a convoy of four vehicles came from a neighbouring county and proceeded to rob numerous houses and businesses. One businessman frightened them off and followed them. That was his mistake. He was on the road and was on to the Garda station for 45 minutes but received no assistance”.
“He said he would drive to Cashel town garda station and he was advised not to as there were no members there. He was then advised to drive to the Circle K for safety, light and visibility and where there are CCTV cameras. This is not good enough”.
As of the end of March there are a total of nearly 14,500 gardaí across the State, up 13% since 2015. The Taoiseach said that he “understood” that burglaries are down in rural areas 75% since 2016 under Operation Thor, which deals with rural crime.