Garda Commissioner to hear concerns for force in Donegal Joint Policing Committee

The Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris, will be grilled over rising concerns about the force in Donegal.

Commissioner Harris will attend a meeting of the Donegal County Joint Policing Committee at the County House in Lifford on Monday.

Ireland's most senior Garda is to be given submitted questions from JPC members, who have been lobbying for his attendance for some time now.

The force in Donegal has undergone big changes over the last month.

Chief Superintendent Terry McGinn and Letterkenny-based Superintendent Michael Finan both retired before Christmas. McGinn has been succeeded by Aidan Glacken, the new Chief Super.

Popular Laghey postman Joe Gorman retires after 40 years

Joe Gorman delivered his last post on Friday - after serving the people of the Laghey are for almost 40 years

Whereas McGinn looked after the Donegal Division, Glacken will oversee policing in Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim.

The JPC has repeatedly heard calls for Donegal to remain as a stand alone division.

In 2019, it was revealed that the Donegal and Sligo-Leitrim Divisions would be merged with a new Divisional headquarters in Letterkenny.

“We would rather Donegal act as a stand alone,” Donegal JPC Chairperson Gerry McMonagle said.

“We hope that Garda Commissioner Harris will explain the roll out of the new policing model and how he believes it will be a help to us here in Donegal.

“We hope he brings assurances to members that there will be sufficient personnel to roll it out and also necessary support, vehicles and resources needed.”

Last month, a JPC meeting heard that several new Detective Sergeants and Detective Gardai have been appointed in Donegal.
Inspector David Durkin is now the Inspector in charge of crime while Inspector Siobhán Mollohan has been appointed to the Divisional Protective Services Unit (DPSU).

“Key positions have been filled,” Inspector Sean Grant said. “We have also bolstered the detective branch.”
Commissioner Harris has previously been criticised for not meeting with the JPC. At last month's meeting, Mr Joe Boland, a PPN representative, said the failure of the Commissioner to meet with the JPC was 'an insult'.
“He has not made any kind of effort to come and discuss issues,” he said. “I feel that the lack of recognition to this part of the country is terrible.”