*Photograph: John Mangan
A CHANGE of policing model in Ireland is needed to help restore morale in the force and confidence among the public, Clare councillors have stated.
Concerns on the pressure placed on Gardaí in the county since the August amalgamating of the Clare Garda Division with Tipperary has come to the fore while confidence in senior management of An Garda Síochána has been discussed nationally following the Dublin riots on November 23rd.
In a proposal before Monday’s meeting of Clare County Council, Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND), Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF), Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG), Cllr Ian Lynch (IND), Cllr Pat Burke (FG), Cllr PJ Kelly (FF) and Cllr Pat Daly (FF) called on Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee (FG) and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris “to revisit the current model of policing”.
They argued that the current model “is not fit for purpose and is based on reactionary policing and in the current times the public feel very vulnerable both in rural communities and urban communities throughout Clare and find the lack of adequate numbers of Gardai on the ground is having a negative impact on their lives”.
Members of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors in July urged the Government to change the model, it was adopted by the Government in 2018.
Speaking on Monday, Cllr Flynn outlined, “We are not looking for people to resign but we are looking for a change of policy. The current model of policing has left rural and urban parts of Clare without adequate cover, rural Clare has had their local Garda stations closed and people targeted by lawless people onto their property and at times intimidating them”. He added, “It is time that a stop was put to this type of policing which we feel is not working, we need to return Gardaí to rural areas where there was also good interactions”.
Flynn continued, “We need to restore confidence in the people. They don’t mind being policed as long as it is fair and equitable”.
Issues in Shannon were flagged by Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF). She recently met with Sergeant Seamus Mulligan along with Shannon Municipal District staff Tom Mellett and Anne Griffin. “There is no morale in the Gardaí, we have no community garda in Shannon as a result of one of them being attacked while on duty,” she stated. “Prevention is better than cure, we need to have visible gardaí on street but they have to feel safe in their jobs”.
Increasing numbers in the force must be a priority, Cllr O’Callaghan maintained. He welcomed plans to have Gardaí wearing body cams within twelve months. “One thing is for certain is they were caught off-guard in Dublin, we’re in a dangerous society where things can be organised so quickly on WhatsApp”.
Attention must be paid to those breaking the law, Cllr Johnny Flynn flagged. “A lot of these thugs believe they are untouchable,” he said of the rioters and looters in the capital. “A lot of them are getting the benefits of free legal aid so there is no discouragement for them to change their behaviour”.
Resources and consequences were cited by Cllr Lynch as the two main items. “The ability for criminals to mobilise is phenomenal, they can set up a distraction in a rural area to suck up resources and complete multiple robberies and leaving very quickly,” he cautioned. Minister McEntee must step up to improve conditions for Gardaí, he stressed.
Cllr Kelly commented, “The only permanent thing today is change and the only way to make progress is to deal with change”.
Gardaí have aired their frustrations, Cllr Daly observed. He said the current model of policing is “limited”. He added, “when they arrest someone they spend more time on paperwork than on the arrest itself. I would like to see Gardaí on motorcyles getting more involved on alleviating traffic congestion”.
