Tipp communities are paying the price for poor policing strategy

Labour’s Councillor Fiona Bonfield has slammed the Government’s failure to deliver an effective policing strategy, warning that people are paying the price for garda shortages and a lack of community policing. Despite promises of increased recruitment, crime is rising, and communities feel unsafe.

Cllr Bonfield said: “When it comes to policing in Tipperary and across Ireland, this Government has lost all credibility. People tell us every day that they feel unsafe in their own neighbourhoods, yet the Government’s response has been nothing but empty promises and spin.

“Despite all the bluster about garda recruitment, almost a quarter of stations have fewer gardaí today than they did before. The impact is clear - criminals are exploiting the lack of garda presence, and ordinary people are paying the price.

“Fianna Fáil promised in their Programme for Government to increase the force by 5,000 members over five years. But this is already a step back from their election commitment of up to 6,000 new gardaí. They are lowering fitness requirements, lowering educational requirements, and even failing to fully vet trainees - yet they still can’t recruit enough officers. This failure is putting communities at risk.

“Figures published by the CSO earlier this month confirm that crime is on the rise, yet there has been no proactive response from the new Justice Minister.

“Labour is calling for a detailed geographical breakdown of garda recruitment and retention, ensuring resources are directed where they are needed most.

“The evidence is clear - community policing works. Prevention is always better than cure, and an increased garda presence is essential to tackle burglaries and anti-social behaviour. In Tipperary, people want to see gardaí walking their streets, not just appearing when a crime has already been committed.

“Labour is demanding urgent action to address the recruitment and retention crisis in An Garda Síochána. Without proper pay, pensions, equipment, and leadership, the force will continue to struggle to attract and retain officers.

“Unless we fix this now, the trend will continue.

“The Minister, the Government, and the Garda Commissioner must step up to properly support frontline gardaí - because right now, our communities are paying the price for their failure.”