asked the Minister for Justice if he will consider increasing the strength of the Garda in Julianstown station. County Meath, to five gardaí and one sergeant, as previously.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Julianstown (Meath) Garda Strength.
72.
I have consulted the Commissioner on this question and he informs me that the Garda service being provided at Julianstown is adequate for the needs of the area. It is not, therefore, intended to increase the strength of the station at present. A permanent strength of one sergeant and five gardaí was never maintained at Julianstown.
Would the Minister not agree that in an area beside a busy seaside resort, it is unreasonable to reduce the strength of the Garda force from one sergeant and five gardaí— which I myself saw in that area—to one sergeant and two gardaí which is the number there at present? Is it fair that these men should be asked to patrol a seaside resort and to keep a record of the various things everybody who comes in there during the summer does and, in addition, to police a busy main road where numerous accidents have occurred over the years? Is it not unreasonable that the strength of the Garda barracks there should be reduced to three people when originally it was six?
I want to repeat what I said in the original reply that the permanent strength was never that of one sergeant and five gardaí—at least as far back as the records available to me go, which is 15 years.
I notice the Minister said "permanent".
The strength up to 19th April last was one sergeant and three gardaí. One of the gardaí retired on 19th April and was not replaced at Julianstown which is only five miles from the district and divisional headquarters of Drogheda. The Commissioner is satisfied that it is adequately patrolled and policed.
Is the Minister telling me that Drogheda has enough gardaí—particularly at the present time when so many members of the force are engaged on standing outside the banks?