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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 May 1972

Vol. 261 No. 3

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Limerick Garda Station.

20.

asked the Minister for Justice if he will give consideration to the erection of a Garda station at South Hill, Limerick, in view of the housing extension and industrial development which has taken place in the area.

The Commissioner, Garda Síochána, has advised, after consultation with the local officers, that the provision of a new station at South Hill, Limerick, would not be warranted at present. I may say however that, with the present increase in recruitment, it is expected that an improvement in present patrolling of the area can be made in the fairly near future.

Is the Minister not aware that Limerick City Council sent a unanimous recommendation to the effect that a sub-station should be erected in this area because of the widespread vandalism both in the housing estate and in the industrial estate? Is he not further aware that there are some 20,000 people living in the area and that the Garda station covering the area is undermanned? The city council should at least be consulted. We are the people involved. We know the damage that is being done to corporation property in this area. In view of those circumstances will the Minister have another look at the situation? He knows the position as well as I do.

I am aware of the position. It has been gone into very fully by the Commissioner and the local officers. The station which serves this area is within a mile of almost all of the area and the station was recently considerably strengthened by its establishment as a district headquarters, at Edwards Street. The estimated population of the five corporation housing estates which comprise South Hill is 5,000 people at present. However, the matter is being borne in mind and while the view of the Commissioner and the local officers is that a station is not warranted there at the moment, that may not be the position in a year or two.

Is the Minister not aware that the number of corporation houses in the area is over 2,000 together with the expansion in that area which goes well into the county and out to the border? The service of this area is undertaken by one sergeant and 11 gardaí. Their duties have to be divided to cover 24 hours. The population of the area, according to the census I have made from the voters lists, is 21,000 people and a little more. I do not know where the Minister got his figures but my figures are based on the number of Limerick Corporation houses and the voters lists. I am going on facts and these are the facts, whatever the Chief Commissioner has said.

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