I thank the Chair for giving me the opportunity to raise this matter. There are two full-time gardaí appointed to Newport Garda station, County Mayo, one of whom spent six days in the last two months in the station while the other was present for 12 days. The local community believes that the Garda presence has diminished substantially. People must travel to Westport and other larger centres to have Garda forms for passports and driving licences signed and for other services. The neighbourhood watch scheme no longer functions, especially in rural areas. There is no visible Garda presence which is seriously affecting the relationship between young people and the force. Local people believe that this is not in the long-term interests of law and order.
In 1991 the station sergeant retired and no replacement was appointed. The two gardaí assigned to the station spend most of their time working in the bigger centres, particularly Westport, providing relief for gardaí stationed there. There are 20 gardaí and three sergeants in Westport. While I acknowledge this is necessary in a growing town, the town of Newport which has a population of 700 and district which has a population of about 2,500 are left without a service. While it is a town which has grown in size and stature, it does not have an adequate Garda presence.
The number of court cases and incidents in Newport illustrate the effects of the Garda absence. The area's chief superintendent and superintendent believe that the easiest way to address staffing levels in Westport is to take personnel away from Newport. However, it diminishes the Garda's importance in the eyes of local people and the protection it provides in the town. The Minister must ask the Commissioner to appoint a sergeant to Newport Garda station to ensure proper representation of gardaí, allow it to properly serve a growing community and be able to protect the local population, particularly the elderly.