Templemore campaign claims Garda College has gone back on their word

The We Just Want to Swim Templemore campaign has said that the Garda College has gone back on its word to reopen the pool to the community.

The Tipperary Star spoke to Deirdre Ryan, who said the college no longer responds to the community’s enquiries.

This follows statements from An Garda Siochana and local TDs that the pool would reopen at the end of November and community groups would be able to apply for licences.

“So, that date has passed, and we are now in December. There has been no contact from the college to the enquiries made by the schools.

“ So, in essence, in that statement, they have gone back on their word,” said Ms Ryan who added that the schools contacted the college the day after the announcement was made.

Ms RYan said she and Jackie Cahill had also requested the swimming coach whose application was refused during the summer receive a licence while he sets up a group so that children’s swimming lessons could resume.

However, the college has not responded to any of these enquiries.

“We are really confused about the whole thing.

“We are really disappointed in the garda college that they haven’t made any contact with the schools as per their statement on the ninth, so we are really looking to Helen McEntee and now Heather Humphreys. We are asking them to communicate with the college to follow through on their word,” said Ms Ryan.

COMMITMENTS
The campaign has not been without people’s power.

Last month, hundreds marched in Templemore to protest the closing of the pool.

On the day, the group was supported by local TDs Michael Lowry, Jackie Cahill and Alan Kelly.

Ms Ryan met with the Taoiseach Micheál Martin on his visit to Thurles, who said he would work with the relevant parties to find a solution.

However, one has not yet been found.

RESPONSE
The Tipperary Star reached out to the An Garda Síochána, the OPW, the Department of Justice and the Office of An Taoiseach.

At the time of printing, we had not received any response from the gardai or the office of An Taoiseach.

The Department of Justice said it was an operational matter for An Garda Síochána.

A spokesperson for the OPW confirmed they had not received any application for licences from the college for access to the pool.

They said any decision to grant access to the community was that of the college authorities.

“The OPW has not recently received any recommendations or requests from the Garda College to grant licences.

“The OPW has no difficulty in supporting a licensing process, but this must take account of the views of the Garda authorities as occupiers of the Garda College complex.

If the OPW receives a recommendation from the college to issue a licence to an applicant, then the licence will be progressed, said the OPW spokesperson.

In a video statement on December 1, Jackie Cahill said he would continue to lobby the college and the OPW to issue the licences.

Blessing of the nativity crib in Newcastle

PASSING THE BUCK
Ms Ryan said this issue has always been about teaching children to swim.

She said the garda college cannot walk away, and neither can the Taoiseach nor the Department of Justice because all parties have a responsibility to ensure this issue is resolved.

They are also calling on the Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris, to issue a statement.

“The buck stops with the Garda college. The silence now and passing the buck on this issue by government departments means they are compliant in a situation that leaves children at risk of drowning,” said Ms Ryan.