I am informed by the Garda authorities that the main concentration of entertainment venues, licensed premises, hackney shops and fast food outlets are located in Main Street, Cootehill, which is a mixed commercial and residential area. I am further informed that at the weekends the town attracts up to 2,000 extra patrons on Friday and Saturday nights and up to 700 on Sundays. Most of them are young people who socialise there. Exemptions are granted for night clubs up to 1.30 a.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights and with a drinking-up period of 30 minutes, large numbers of revellers emerge from entertainment venues after 2.00 a.m. Many of these persons remain in the streets in the vicinity of hackney ranks and fast food outlets until 4.00 a.m. while awaiting transport. By the nature of such gatherings, considerable high-spirited conversation, horseplay and boisterousness prevail. However, while many have consumed various quantities of alcohol, the vast majority of persons are law abiding.
With regard to the number of Garda personnel, I am informed that the current strength of Cootehill Garda Station is eight – all ranks. When Cootehill Garda Station is not open to the public, PACB and call diversion systems are in operation and linked to the district headquarters at Bailieboro. Local Garda management is satisfied that the current opening hours of Cootehill Garda Station are adequate to meet the present the present policing needs of the sub-district. I am further informed that the extension of the current opening hours to 24 hours would necessitate the employment of Garda personnel on indoors administrative duties.
As the Deputy will appreciate, such personnel can be utilised more effectively in providing a more visible Garda presence on outdoor policing duties. I am also informed that two community alert schemes are in operation in the area and that every opportunity is availed of by gardaí to offer crime prevention advice to business people and the elderly. I am informed that local Garda management are satisfied that there are sufficient personnel in Cootehill to adequately police the area. I am assured that the situation will be kept under review and when additional personnel next becomes available the needs of Cootehill will be fully considered within the context of the overall needs of Garda stations throughout the country.
