George Lawlor Calls for Emergency Powers Renewal and More Garda
George Lawlor warned that Ireland's security landscape is shifting, citing rising concerns about terrorist offences, online radicalisation and anti-social behaviour. He said the renewal of emergency provisions is necessary and urged the minister to allocate more Garda resources, particularly to Wexford and Wicklow.
George Lawlor said areas once considered safe and isolated are becoming vulnerable as the internet and social media facilitate the spread of extremist propaganda. He argued that online anonymity can embolden individuals and enable recruitment and engagement with radical groups in rural communities.
He stated that, in the context of changing global threats and rising extremist ideologies, the renewal of emergency provisions is "very necessary." Lawlor framed the renewal as part of a broader re-evaluation of security measures across the country, including remote regions.
Lawlor described "shocking levels of increase" in criminal justice pressures and warned that low Garda numbers are draining the soul from towns and villages. He recounted persistent anti-social behaviour in his county, with perpetrators acting brazenly in broad daylight and using main streets as their playground since Covid.
He detailed the June distribution of Garda probationers - 120 nationwide - and noted the Wexford Wicklow Division received only one new probationer: four went to Bray, one to New Ross, and none to Enniscorthy or Wexford Town. He highlighted that a county of 164,000 people received no new probationer and that constituents across Wexford and Wicklow, a population heading for 250,000, received a single probationer.
Lawlor raised Ross Lear Europort as a strategic gateway with a reported 400% increase in traffic since Brexit, saying it draws Garda resources from across the county and requires strong security. He recalled a large event in Wexford Town last August - in excess of 600,000 people - where extra Garda presence made it a family occasion, and concluded by urging the minister for more Garda resources on the ground.
Rural radicalisation and online threats
George Lawlor said areas once considered safe and isolated are becoming vulnerable as the internet and social media facilitate the spread of extremist propaganda. He argued that online anonymity can embolden individuals and enable recruitment and engagement with radical groups in rural communities.
Case for renewing emergency provisions
He stated that, in the context of changing global threats and rising extremist ideologies, the renewal of emergency provisions is "very necessary." Lawlor framed the renewal as part of a broader re-evaluation of security measures across the country, including remote regions.
Local policing shortages and community impact
Lawlor described "shocking levels of increase" in criminal justice pressures and warned that low Garda numbers are draining the soul from towns and villages. He recounted persistent anti-social behaviour in his county, with perpetrators acting brazenly in broad daylight and using main streets as their playground since Covid.
Probationer allocations and numerical shortfalls
He detailed the June distribution of Garda probationers - 120 nationwide - and noted the Wexford Wicklow Division received only one new probationer: four went to Bray, one to New Ross, and none to Enniscorthy or Wexford Town. He highlighted that a county of 164,000 people received no new probationer and that constituents across Wexford and Wicklow, a population heading for 250,000, received a single probationer.
Strategic port and event policing examples
Lawlor raised Ross Lear Europort as a strategic gateway with a reported 400% increase in traffic since Brexit, saying it draws Garda resources from across the county and requires strong security. He recalled a large event in Wexford Town last August - in excess of 600,000 people - where extra Garda presence made it a family occasion, and concluded by urging the minister for more Garda resources on the ground.
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Transcript
Prime Minister, in recent years the landscape of Ireland has begun to shift, with concerns about terrorist offences increasingly emerging in areas that were once considered safe and isolated. While Ireland has historically been associated with a relatively low level of terrorist activity particularly since the troubles ended, the changing global landscape and the rise of various extremist ideologies, we have to have a re-evaluation of security measures across the country, even in remote regions. One primary factor contributing to this heightened concern is the increasing connectivity brought about by the internet and social media. These platforms not only facilitate the spread of extremist propaganda but also enable individuals in rural areas to engage with radical groups, often leading to the recruitment of vulnerable individuals. The anonymity provided by online interactions can embolden those with extremist views, making even rural communities more susceptible to radicalisation. So in that context I certainly believe that the renewal of these emergency provisions is very necessary. The area of criminal justice is also showing shocking levels of increase. The alarming impact of low Garda numbers right across the country is an issue that is having a profound impact on communities. It is draining the soul from many towns and villages. This is not merely a bland statement. It is a reality that affects our daily lives, our safety and our sense of security. In my own town and county of Wexford we have seen a persistent creeping of anti-social behaviour on the streets. People intent on causing as much disruption as they can, often in broad daylight. The more brazen the better for many of the perpetrators. It would appear that many of the people who are engaging in public order offences on our main streets made these their playgrounds during Covid and they have never left. However, if you look at the most recent Garda probationers that were dispatched around the country in June, 120 of them in all. In the Wexford Wicklow Division four went to Bray, one went to New Ross, zero to Enniscorthy and zero to Wexford Town, the biggest town in the county. A county with a population of 164,000 people got no new probationer. Indeed, the constituents of Wexford and Wicklow, with a population heading for some 250,000 people, got one Garda probationer. We have Ross Lear Europort in the county of Wexford, one of the most strategic ports in the country, pulling resources from right across, Garda resources from right across county Wexford, given its 400% increase in traffic since Brexit. It is the gateway to Europe with people coming and going, so it is essential that security is a key factor and a key feature there. We have seen, when resources are made available, that the impact is unmatched. Last August we had in excess of 600,000 people to send on Wexford Town for a flag. It was a wonderful, wonderful occasion where the presence of extra Garda made it such a wonderful family occasion. Minister, we need more Garda resources on the ground to combat these. Thank you.