Policing crisis in Tipperary branded ‘unmitigated disaster’ as only one new garda allocated
Tipperary’s policing model is under scrutiny as a local councillor warns it is failing the county, calling for more gardaí and a major operational review.
Independent councillor John O’Heney said that the Clare/Tipperary Divisional Area is an “unmitigated disaster”, and has said that the policing of Tipperary is diminished because of it.
This comes as just one new garda will be allocated to Tipperary from intake 251, the latest cohort to graduate from the Garda Training College in Templemore. This figure was described as “disappointing” by the local councillor.
Two gardaí have been allocated to the Tipperary/Clare Division, with one going to Clonmel, while the other will be based in Ennis.
"The many excellent gardaí we already have in the area need more support,” he said.
Cllr O’Heney said that gardaí are less able to do their jobs now than they were a decade ago.
"The current Garda Divisional Operational Model in the Tipperary/Clare Division is simply not working. What we are seeing on the ground is a diminished policing service compared to ten years ago.
"Basic garda services are now being maintained only through overtime, and that is neither sustainable nor fair on the members of An Garda Síochána who are doing their best under impossible pressures,” Cllr O’Heney hit out.
The division as it’s currently set out is too big of an area to effectively police, the Tipperary councillor said, pointing to other areas where divisions have been reverted.
"Carrick-on-Suir to the Cliffs of Moher is far too large an area to be effectively managed under one model. Other regions, Carlow, Kildare, Laois, and Offaly, have already rowed back on similar models after they failed to deliver. Yet, Tipperary remains stuck with a system that is clearly not fit for purpose,” Cllr O’Heney said.
Tipperary needs more gardaí on the ground, according to the independent councillor, who said that the county deserves better.
"Tipperary’s enormous contribution to national policing, particularly through the Garda Training College in Templemore, has gone unrecognised. This county deserves better.
"We urgently need more gardaí and more community gardaí on the ground in Tipperary. Community policing is the backbone of public trust and safety, and right now it is simply not possible for our local members to do the proactive, relationship-building work that keeps communities safe and reassured,” he added.
Despite the fact that Ireland’s population is growing, the policing is going backwards, Cllr O’Heney said, adding that visibility needs to be to the heart of policing.
"The official crime figures do not reflect reality. Many people are no longer reporting crimes because they have lost confidence in the system. This has a consequential impact on safety, wellbeing, and community trust.
“Low garda numbers are weakening our emergency response capability, and gardaí themselves know that the current model is failing them,” Cllr O’Heney said.
"I am calling on the new Garda Commissioner to order an immediate review of the Divisional Operational Model in the Tipperary/Clare area. Tipperary deserves a properly resourced policing service,” the independent councillor added.