Justice Minister told that more gardaí are needed in Clonmel

The allocation of two extra gardaí for Clonmel has been welcomed by District Mayor Siobhán Ambrose.

The extra gardaí were allocated following the most recent passing out parade at the Garda College in Templemore.

Speaking at the monthly meeting of Clonmel Borough District, Cllr Ambrose said she and Borough District Manager Jonathan Cooney had recently met with Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan to request extra gardaí for the town.

She said they had been listening to people in relation to their concerns about anti-social behaviour in the town, which they could see for themselves.

While she appreciated that the allocation of gardaí is the function of the Garda Commissioner, she wanted to bring this issue to the minister’s attention. It had been a very good meeting, she said.

Cllr Ambrose said the Borough District was doing all it could in this regard. She hoped that the number of gardaí in the town would continue to rise.

Cllr Pat English said that while the two extra gardaí were to be welcomed, garda numbers had been reduced by five in recent years, so the town was still down in terms of the number of gardaí.

Cllr Niall Dennehy asked if the meeting with the minister had also been attended by the area’s TDs, Senators and other councillors.

Cllr Ambrose said that the TDs were also raising this issue separately.