Louth representatives on new policing body revealed

By Olivia Ryan, The Drogheda Independent

Seven Louth councillors have been nominated to the new Local Community Safety Partnership (LCSP) which is set to meet for the first time in the coming weeks.

The September meeting of Louth County Council heard that two names from each Municipal area of Louth, Ardee, Drogheda and Dundalk, have been put forward. The current Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, Cllr. Sean Kelly will take the seventh seat.

The LCSP will replace the previous Joint Policing Committees (JPCs) and will include council representatives, An Garda Síochána, and representatives from other state and community groups as part of a multi-agency approach to addressing crime and community safety issues.

Concerns have been raised by a number of Louth councillors that the new model provides for fewer councillors than the previous JPCs, leading to what they argue will be a reduction in local democratic input and links with gardai on crime in specific areas of the county.

Joanna Kelly, Director of Service at Louth County Council told the council’s monthly meeting that both the legislation and guidance for the partnerships have been issued. She explained there is a maximum of thirty people entitled to sit on the LCSP in Louth, which will be made up of various community groups and agencies. Seven representatives from the local authority will also be included.

Cllr. Robert Nash, Cllr. Andrea McKevitt were nominated from the Dundalk MD, with Cllr. Pearse McGeough and Cllr. Jim Tenanty from Ardee. Cllr. Michelle Hall (Mayor) and Cllr. Paddy McQuillan were nominated from Drogheda.

The nominations were proposed by Cllr. Kevin Callan and seconded by Cllr. Paddy McQuillan.

Cllr. Maeve Yore asked how nominations are made from the community sector.

Ms. Kelly said the appointments are formally made by the Minister. She said the whole idea of the new LCSPs is that they are “all encompassing and far-reaching” in terms of the community groups. She said she would issue the guidance again to councillors to explain how nominations are made from the community sector.

She added that the term for anyone who is nominated is three years, as provided for in the legislation.

However, the Cathaoirleach’s position on the partnership will be rotated as a new councillor is elected to the role every year.