asked the Minister for Justice if he intends to increase the number of gardaí at Coolock Garda station, Dublin; and, if so, when.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Coolock (Dublin) Garda Station.
52.
I have indicated on a number of recent occasions in replies to Parliamentary questions and in public statements that I am reviewing the distribution of the Garda Síochána with a view to arranging that the strengths at various centres will be related to the most urgent public need, that is, the prevention and detection of crime.
The needs of the Dublin Metropolitan Area, including Coolock Station, are uppermost in my mind. The strength at Coolock has been doubled in the last ten years, and two additional gardaí were allocated there two months ago.
Is the Minister aware that there are 21 police to patrol this area in which there are 40,000 people and, that during their hours off, there are approximately five policemen to patrol this area at any given time? Is he also aware that the Catholic Church has been broken into on four occasions and that factories and houses have been broken into? The police are doing a good job but they are not able to cope. The Minister mentioned that there are two additional policemen in the area but the population has quadrupled in the past two or three years. There are now 21 or 22 policemen there but, at any given time, there are only five on patrol.
In this station there are one inspector, four sergeants and 22 gardaí. As I have said, two additional gardaí were sent there two months ago. Whenever further gardaí become available this area will get its quota amongst other stations.