Lowry highlights need for greater rural Garda resources

In his final address to the 32nd Dail, Deputy Michael Lowry took the opportunity on Wednesday last to once again extend gratitude to the Gardai and to highlight the need for greater resources for Gardai throughout the country.

In a session dominated by the existence of the Special Criminal Court, Deputy Lowry paid tribute to the late Det Garda Colm Horkan, saying that, if a valid argument can be made for the continuation of the Special Criminal Court, an equally valid argument can be made to increase the numbers of Gardai across the country so that Gardai are not expected to attend any incidents on their own.

 

“Gardai are the first point of contact for criminals and they must be provided with the numbers and the resources they need. If a criminal, whether it be an opportunist or a gangland leader, is not first apprehended by Gardai, then the subsequent stages of the judicial system cease to function,” he said.

Deputy Lowry made particular to the provision of adequate funding for law enforcement in towns and villages across rural Ireland. He said that a survey of the Garda Station directory showed that almost 60 per cent of rural Garda Stations are open for three hours or less Monday to Friday, while many are closed at the weekend. 

“That is if the station is open at all as it may have been closed permanently’ he said. Towns, some with a population in excess of 6,000 people, are stated on paper to have 24-hour Garda Stations, while the reality in many cases is that one Garda mans the phones overnight and, if an incident occurs, that Garda must contact the nearest fully operational Station to request that a Garda patrol car be sent to the scene. ‘In my Constituency, that patrol car may have to travel upwards of twenty miles to reach the incident in question,” said Deputy Lowry.

“How can Gardai be expected to protect the public, maintain law and order and bring the perpetrators to crime to justice unless they have the manpower, the means and the facilities to do so? Most importantly, no Garda should be expected to attend the scene of any incident alone. There should always be at least two Gardai available to attend to any call-out as the most basic incident can escalate rapidly. Had Det. Garda Horkan had a colleague present with him on his final call out, his family, friends, colleagues and the entire country may not be mourning his passing at this time,” stated Deputy Lowry.

“Gardai are on the coalface of crime in this country. They apprehend individuals who have no regard for life of limb or, in many cases, are distorted by substance abuse and not in possession of their full senses. Gardai are the mainstay of our justice system and, without their dedication, bravery and commitment, criminals at all levels could and would run amok in our country. Gardai are the heroes of the system. We must ensure that we provide them with the means to carry out their vital work as safely as possible.”

In conclusion Deputy Lowry said he would be pursuing the issue of the provision of additional trained and fully resourced Gardai throughout Ireland as a priority with the Minister for Justice and Equality in the new Government.