Brendan Smith warns Garda reconfiguration endangers border policing
Brendan Smith criticised the reconfiguration of Garda divisions and said the structures put in place under Commissioner Drew Harris were wrong. He argued the changes have left border areas under-resourced and said the far ends of the division will not receive adequate attention or personnel.
Brendan Smith challenged the decision to reshape Garda divisions, saying the structures established a number of years ago under Commissioner Drew Harris were incorrect. He said the change has created practical problems for policing in affected counties.
He described the combined Cavan Monaghan and Louth Garda division as stretching from just outside Dublin to the far end of Cavan near Sligo, Bundorden and Donegal. Smith said that long territorial reach includes a significant land border and presents unique policing challenges.
Smith said the chief superintendent for the Louth-Cavan Monaghan division is based in Drogheda, outside Dublin, and warned that the farther ends of the division will not get the attention, personnel or resources they deserve. He emphasised the need to ensure the unique policing demands of a border area are resourced adequately.
In response to his remarks, another speaker acknowledged the reconfiguration concern and said they would speak to the Minister for Justice. Brendan Smith has repeatedly raised the issue and sought ongoing attention to border policing resourcing.
Reconfiguration criticism
Brendan Smith challenged the decision to reshape Garda divisions, saying the structures established a number of years ago under Commissioner Drew Harris were incorrect. He said the change has created practical problems for policing in affected counties.
Geography of the division
He described the combined Cavan Monaghan and Louth Garda division as stretching from just outside Dublin to the far end of Cavan near Sligo, Bundorden and Donegal. Smith said that long territorial reach includes a significant land border and presents unique policing challenges.
Concerns about resourcing and oversight
Smith said the chief superintendent for the Louth-Cavan Monaghan division is based in Drogheda, outside Dublin, and warned that the farther ends of the division will not get the attention, personnel or resources they deserve. He emphasised the need to ensure the unique policing demands of a border area are resourced adequately.
Parliamentary follow-up
In response to his remarks, another speaker acknowledged the reconfiguration concern and said they would speak to the Minister for Justice. Brendan Smith has repeatedly raised the issue and sought ongoing attention to border policing resourcing.
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Transcript
An issue I've raised in the past was the reconfiguration of Garda divisions a number of years ago under Commissioner Drew Harris. I believe that the structures that were made and put in place were wrong. Traditionally, since the foundation of the state, Cavern Monaghan won Garda division. Now we're along with County Louth. So you have a Garda division stretching from literally outside Dublin to the far end of West Cavern, which is quite near Sligo and near Bundorden and Donegal. It is a very long land border with a neighbouring jurisdiction. We're all well aware that borders don't deter criminality. Unfortunately, we have crossed border criminality. The chief superintendent for the Louth, Cavern Monaghan Garda division is based in Drogheda, which is outside Dublin. I don't believe that the farther ends of that Garda division will get the attention or the personnel or the resources that they deserve. I believe, Thieshook, that over the years, and I think it's an issue I've kept putting on the agenda, is the need to ensure that the unique policing demands of a border area are always resourced adequately. Thank you. Deputy Smith, you have raised the issue of reconfiguration of Garda districts. I'll talk to the Minister for Justice. In respect to your point about the need for unique policing, the unique policing demands of border areas requiring particular resourcing and specific resourcing. Deputy Smith, you have a question. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. You