Baker moves onto new Garda role in Ballinsaloe

TWO-TIME ALL-Ireland winning Clare hurler, Ollie Baker has been appointed to a new Garda role in Galway.

Less than a year after becoming Superintendent of the East Clare Tipperary North Community Engagement functional area, Baker has been appointed to a new role which will see him based at Ballinasloe Garda Station where he has responsibility for the ‘Galway East Community Engagement Area’, under the new Garda operating model.

Baker took office in his new role earlier this month. Based out of Nenagh for his last role, Ollie oversaw an area which included Mountshannon, Scariff and Killaloe along with Nenagh, Roscrea, Newport, Borrisokane, Toomevara, Cloughjordan, Dolla, Lorrha, Moneygall and Portroe. It was comprised of 14 Sergeants and 18 Gardaí.

His exit was referenced by Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) at this month’s sitting of the Killaloe Municipal District. “We don’t have Gardaí to look after the basic things, our last man Ollie Baker is already gone from the area”.

In recent years the roll-out of the new Garda operational model has been taking place on a phased basis.

Under the new operating model, Superintendents have been moved away from having responsibility for policing a specific geographical area, and are instead being given responsibility for a particular policing function across their Garda division.

Garda divisions have increased in size and reduced in number, from 28 to 21, under the new Garda model. An Garda Síochána said the restructuring of its operations “reflects international best practice as well as the realities of modern day policing in Ireland, the changing nature of crime and population trends”.