Tipperary TD to highlight need for a garda presence in this town with force's management

Fianna Fáil TD Jackie Cahill has been highlighting the particular policing needs of Roscrea with senior Garda management again in recent times.

“I have been raising policing concerns in Roscrea for some time now. The view on the ground in Roscrea is that they need more Garda resources and they are very worried that there is not a visible enough presence of gardaí on the streets of the town, as anti-social behaviour and drug crime continue to cause serious difficulties for the people of Roscrea,” he said.

Deputy Cahill said that he had raised raised these concerns with the highest levels of An Garda Síochána management, having written directly to the Garda Commissioner and having spoken with senior Gardaí in the region.

“The Garda Station in Roscrea is open 9am to 5pm, which is the absolute basic requirement. Outside of this, I have been reassured that there is a presence of gardaí in the town at all times to respond to emergency calls in a patrol car,” he said.

Deputy Cahill said that it was is vital that the people of Roscrea felt that if there was an emergency, a garda presence can be on the scene locally in rapid time.

“It is welcome to learn that a patrol car with gardaí is stationed in the town at all times, to avoid a situation where a car has to be called from further afield,” said the TD.

“Gardaí locally have had some success in recent times with tackling drug crime in the town. However, just like every town and village in the country, the availability of drugs and the damage it is doing to our society still needs far more resources to tackle effectively.

"Similarly, like every town and village in rural Ireland, and not just in Dublin, an increased Garda presence is needed. The people want to see gardaí out on the beat, patrolling our streets. A visible garda presence is absolutely crucial in combatting crime, both in rural and urban areas,” he said.

Deputy Cahill said that he will be raising the need for increased Garda resources and the increase in anti-social behaviour and drug-related crime in the Dáil this week.

"I will continue to highlight the particular needs of north Tipperary. The amalgamation of the Tipperary and Clare areas is unacceptable, and I will continue to make this point with both the Minister for Justice and the Garda Commissioner," he said.