Concerns raised over Garda numbers and visibility in Sligo

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

The issue of policing numbers and resources in Sligo has been highlighted by Labour Party Councillor Ann Higgins who has called for greater visibility in the locality.

Cllr Higgins warned that communities across Sligo are being left behind as Garda numbers fall and resources fail to keep pace with demand.

“People in Sligo can see the reality on the ground. Garda visibility has dropped and response times are under pressure. This is not acceptable. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have failed to properly resource An Garda Siochána and the impact is being felt in towns and neighbourhoods right across Sligo.

“We now have fewer Gardaí per person than we did just a few years ago. At the same time, our population has grown. That means fewer Gardaí covering more people, more communities and more complex policing demands. In Sligo, that translates into less visible policing, less community engagement and more pressure on an already stretched force. That is why Labour in bringing this motion to the Dáil this week, to call for Government to take action.

“Community Gardaí play a vital role in building relationships, preventing crime and supporting vulnerable people. Yet their numbers are falling. That weakens the connection between Gardaí and the people they serve. In Sligo, people want to see Gardaí on the streets, in schools and in their communities, not tied up in administrative backlogs or pulled away due to shortages.”

Addressing the issue of morale within the force, Cllr Higgins said it is a “serious concern”, insisting, “Gardaí who serve our communities deserve proper support, fair conditions and respect. Instead, many feel undervalued and overworked. That has real consequences for recruitment and retention. If we cannot attract and keep Gardaí, communities in Sligo will continue to lose out.”

Cllr Higgins added, “Despite the government’s public commitment to reduce road deaths, their words are not being translated into meaningful actions. We see this locally, with a 25% reduction in drink/drug driving checkpoints across Sligo/Leitrim in 2024, and in the following year , only six officers appointed to the local roads policing units , with just one appointed to Sligo. Most recently, the 167 newly sworn in Guards, only 11 were allocated to the NW region. It is evident that the Sligo/Leitrim division is continuing to receive a disproportionately low assignment when compared to other divisions of similar size, demand and risk profile. Simply put, the number of new appointments is not keeping pace locally with the number of retirements or those leaving the job.

Cllr Higgins also noted that the issue of low morale among Gardaí must also be addressed, stating “There are also serious concerns about how internal investigations have been handled and the impact this has had on Garda members. That must be addressed through a full and transparent inquiry. Gardaí deserve fairness and due process, and the public deserves confidence in how the force operates.

“Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael promised thousands of new recruits but have failed to deliver. Training numbers remain too low, and there is no clear plan to reach the levels needed. Meanwhile, equipment and fleet issues continue, with outdated vehicles and inadequate resources affecting frontline policing in places like Sligo.

“People in Sligo deserve a modern, properly resourced police service that is rooted in the community and capable of keeping people safe. That means investing in recruitment, improving conditions, restoring community policing and ensuring Gardaí have the tools they need to do their job effectively.

“I’m calling on Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to support Labour’s Dáil motion and urgently deliver a funded plan to recruit and retain Gardaí, restore community policing in Sligo and ensure every community has the visible, effective policing it deserves.”

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.