Further attack on garda resources will hamper fight against crime – Collins
Published on: 21 August 2013
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Justice Niall Collins has described reports of yet another attack on garda resources as ‘extremely worrying’.
Deputy Collins commented, “The garda force has already been seriously undermined and communities have been put at risk as a result of a series of cuts over the past two years. We have seen a cull of local garda stations, cuts to community garda resources, the closure of some specialised regional garda units and the refusal to fill gaping holes in frontline policing. There is no doubt in my mind that further cuts will hamper the fight against crime.
“I have spent the past year questioning the Minister for Justice Alan Shatter about what I believe to be extremely dangerous and highly damaging policing policies. He has consistently refused to recognise the crisis in the garda force, he has consistently failed to provide our gardaí with the support they need and he has dismissed the concerns of communities affected by his cuts. Most worryingly, he has also consistently refused to commit to maintaining garda resources at a basic safe level.
“It seems that Minister Shatter has learned nothing from a year of constant and pointless confrontation, which saw heightened concerns over crime in the community, fears over an increase in organised crime and an unprecedented crisis of morale within the gardaí. If he insists on continuing to dismantle the garda force there is no doubt that communities will suffer the consequences.”