Call for satellite Garda station in Meath town amidst surge in crime and anti-social behaviour
An Aontú councillor has called for a Garda satellite station in Johnstown, warning that the growing population and surge in anti-social behaviour in Navan demand an “urgent response” from national authorities.
Councillor Emer Tóibín said she has repeatedly raised the issue of inadequate Garda resources in Meath — the county with the lowest number of Gardai in the country, according to official figures.
Speaking at the October meeting of the Navan Municipal District, Cllr Tóibín said: “Last year, we held a public meeting about the growing issue of crime and anti-social activity across Navan.”
“I went into 40 or 50 shops with a poster to advertise the meeting, and in every one, people had stories — everyone agreed something radical needed to happen to prevent things getting worse.”
Cllr Tóibín said that during the public meeting, which drew a large turnout, many residents shared “dreadful personal experiences” of crime and intimidation.
She has since written to the Minister for Justice, the Garda Commissioner, and senior Garda officials seeking increased staffing and resources for Navan.
At the council meeting, she tabled a motion calling on the council to add its voice to the campaign and that Navan MD formally write to An Garda Síochána and the Department of Justice to support the establishment of a Garda satellite station in Johnstown.
“I’m using every lever available to me to put pressure on decision-makers to finally address the prolonged under-resourcing of Meath and its county town,” she said.
“Johnstown, in particular, has seen massive growth over the past two decades and warrants its own Garda station and a permanent Garda presence.”
“When I raise this with Navan Gardaí, they tell me they’ll increase Garda presence and visibility in Johnstown when resources allow. I don’t criticise them, they can only work within the resources they have. But that’s exactly the problem: what we have in Navan simply isn’t enough.”
Cllr Tóibín said residents in Johnstown regularly face spikes in anti-social behaviour, including open drug use, and that local Gardaí are struggling to cope with their workload.
She added that Meath has only 1 Garda to 615 people.
“People have the right to live in safety in their homes and communities, and they have every right to be heard,” Cllr Tóibín said.
“Navan will continue to grow and expand — plans need to be put in place today to meet the demands that will accompany this growth.”