Top gardaí hear 'protests are brewing' in this Tipperary town over policing concerns

Roscrea Gardaí are hamstrung by a dearth of resources and manpower to adequately police the town and surrounding areas according to local elected representatives.

Chief Superintendent Colm O'Sullivan, head of policing for the Tipperary and Clare Garda Division, heard that tensions are boiling over in Roscrea where "protests are brewing" from local Councillors who expressed concern during a meeting of the Tipperary Joint Policing Committee (JPC).

"Roscrea Garda Station is at crisis point" Councillor Shane Lee (Ind) told the meeting and explained that people are becoming increasingly frustrated with the local Garda Station doors remaining closed for much of the day.

""Protests are brewing in Roscrea - something urgent needs to be done" he told the meeting, recalling when in July 2014 the people of Roscrea banded together and held an impromptu protest march to the local Garda Station against drug dealing.

Cllr. Lee said a recent violent attack on a young man has put many people on edge and that "people feel intimidated" and want a more visible Garda presence. "We genuinely are at a crisis point", he pleaded.

Cathaoirleach of the JPC, Cllr. Noel Coonan (FG) said Roscrea urgently needs to see the long awaited Garda CCTV system up and running, which is currently awaiting maintenance funding. "There is huge concern in Roscrea and we need action before something serious happens", the Cathaoirleach said.

"Inspector Myles is doing incredible work with her small team for a town the size of Roscrea and we just want to see her receive all the support she needs in Roscrea. The Council needs to step up to the mark on this - people in Roscrea need security", the Cathoailreach said.

Under pressure to commit more resources to Roscrea at his first JPC meeting, Chief Superintendent O'Sullivan said resources are an issue across the District.

"I'm not in a position to solve the problem this week or next month and we have no news of a new allocation of manpower or resources to Tipperary", Chief Supt. O'Sullivan said. 

The meeting heard a brief update on the progression of Roscrea's Garda CCTV system, which was described as "at an early stage and still requiring a funding model".

The Roscrea system, which was purposely designed to suit the needs of a heritage town, depends on a cloud storage system and although cheaper to install than systems going into other towns, does require slightly higher maintenance funds - estimated in the region of €11,000 every year.

Local representatives are pushing for the Municipal District to cover the annual costs - a proposal currently being examined by Director of Services for Tipperary County Council, Brian Beck.

"There is a serious onus on the Municipal District to ensure funding can be found for CCTV in Roscrea", the JPC Cathaoirleach said. However, Mr Beck stressed that no decision has been made yet.

"Garda CCTV systems are complex and must be approved in the right way to maximise their benefit. Roscrea's system will only cost €11k every year - but it is every year", Mr Beck said. An update on the securing a funding model is expected early in the new year.