Tipperary garda Christmas campaign to focus on getting everyone 'home safely'

The gardaí in Tipperary are due to launch their Christmas safety campaign as the countdown to the holidays gets underway.

The campaign, which will concentrate on road traffic offences as well as allowing people to enjoy a night out in a safe manner, will involve the Thurles-based Roads Policing Unit as well as gardaí on patrol in all the major towns.

“Our intention is higher visibility in our communities. Areas of immediate concern are Roscrea, Newport, Nenagh. Having gardaí there and available to people is something I am very big on. There will be a 24/7 presence in those towns at all stages,” said Supt Ollie Baker , the newly-appointed chief in Nenagh Garda District.

He said that the message the gardaí did not want to deliver to any household in this District this Christmas was that someone had been broken up as a result of a traffic accident or someone was not going to make their way home after a traffic collision.

“I think Christmas is a time of family reunions and celebrations and to allow people to celebrate in the best way possible is maybe when the gardaí are that step away but watching and making sure if it does go beyond, if they cross the thin blue line, they will be there to intercede and provide for safety and that the people have safe nights out and everyone gets home safely,” he said.

Pointing out that the gardaí were not “party poopers”, Supt Baker emphasised that Christmas was “not a time when we should be attending funerals”.

He pointed out that the road safety campaign was due to start in December with the Roads Policing Unit in Thurles and local gardaí will be assisting in conducting road safety strategy.

“We will be out there to enforce the road traffic legislation,” he said.

He added: “I am only the messenger. The real people who feel all that pain are behind that door and that stays with them for a lifetime.”

He said that that was “something you wouldn’t wish on anybody”.

A full interview with Supt Baker will appear in this week's Tipperary Star.