Nenagh to have two superintendents as Clare and Tipp districts are merged
Nenagh is to have two garda superintendents based in the town as part of changes being rolled out by the force as the Tipperary and Clare divisions have now being merged.
A press release issued on Monday last by the Garda Press Office said the current Superintendent based at the station in the town, former All Ireland winning Clare hurler, Ollie Baker, will have responsibility for community engagement in East Clare and North Tipperary.
Meanwhile Superintendent James Tierney, also to be based in Nenagh Garda Station, will have responsibility for crime in both Clare and Tipperary.
The new model that will see senior gardaí responsible for crime prevention and community engagement in more than one county has been the subject of criticism from local politicians who feel resources in the force are being stretched too far.
Under the new ‘Operating Model’ the number of Garda Divisions will reduce from 28 to 21.
The Garda Operating Model, launched by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris four years ago, involves the biggest ever restructuring of An Garda Síochána.
The issue has been raised in the Dáil by Tipperary TD Michael Lowry who said that while the force’s operation model did need change, the moves being made did nothing to increase the number of gardaí.
“It merely serves to alter how they carry out their work,” he said.
In the press release it said that the Garda Operating Model is being introduced as part of ‘A Policing Service for the Future’, which is the implementation plan based on the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland.
The release stated that this model is recommended by the both the Commission of the Future of Policing in Ireland and the Garda Inspectorate.
“The restructure reflects international best practice as well as the realities of modern day policing in Ireland, the changing nature of crime and population trends.
“It included restructuring at National, Regional and local levels to provide a greater focus on community policed based on local needs.”
MAJOR CHANGES
The release added: “The new model introduces major changes to the structures of An Garda Síochána by providing a wider range of policing services for people in their local area.
“It will particularly enhance the investigation of crime through the delivery of a greater range of specialised services in local areas, such as the investigation of sexual crime, domestic violence, cyber-crime, and economic crime.”
The update on appointments, with effect from August 27 under the Operating Model in the Clare and Tipperary Garda Divisions also includes the following:
Chief Superintendent Colm O Sullivan, Ennis Garda Station, responsibility for Clare/ Tipperary Garda Division.
Superintendent Edmond Golden, Thurles Garda Station, responsibility for Tipperary Central Community Engagement Functional Area.
Superintendent Kieran Ruane, Clonmel Garda Station, responsibility for Tipperary South Community Engagement Functional Area.
Superintendent John Ryan, Ennis Garda Station, responsibility for Clare Community Engagement Functional Area.
Superintendent Conor Dillon, Tipperary Town Garda Station, responsibility for Clare/ Tipperary Performance Assurance Functional Area.