Reassurance over Meath Garda station staffing levels
A local councillor has moved to clarify recent concerns regarding Garda presence in the Laytown area, following claims that the local station was operating with only three officers.
Councillor Sharon Tolan outlined the accurate Garda staffing levels currently in place. On a post on social media, Cllr Tolan said: “Despite a recent post claiming there are only three Gardaí stationed at Laytown, I can confirm that the accurate numbers are as follows: As of today we have one Inspector, four Sergeants and 15 Gardaí attached to Laytown Station, along with one Sergeant and four Gardaí based in Duleek as part of the Community Policing Unit.”
The Fine Gael councillor representing the Laytown-Bettystown MD said she meets with Superintendent Yvonne Murphy “at least three times a year” to discuss issues such as Garda numbers, community safety, and progress on station infrastructure. She noted that efforts are ongoing to secure a site for a new Garda station in the area.
“We are also receiving extra policing during the summer months, with the mounted unit and bicycle patrols, to ensure safety on our streets and beaches. Work continues to progress the site for the new station, but I have been assured that we continue to be served by patrols 24/7,” she added.
Plans to develop a new Garda station for East Meath are still on the way as a final decision on the site is expected in the coming weeks.
The OPW Minister Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran confirmed his Department and the Gardai are working closely on the project after the business case to replace the old Laytown station was approved last year.
Meanwhile the current Laytown Garda Station is considered too small to accommodate the growing Garda presence in East Meath, particularly given the area's rapid population growth over the past 30 years.