Mattie McGrath: Gardaí Shortage Endangering Lives in Tipperary
Mattie McGrath warned of a chronic shortage of Gardaí in Tipperary and across the country, citing falling officer numbers amid population increases. He urged the Minister, the Commissioner and Assistant Commissioners to take responsibility, saying failures to support frontline Gardaí are putting lives at risk.
Numbers and timeline
As of 30 April 2024 the force stood at a total of 14,000 odd members, with just over 11,950 serving as rank and file Gardaí. He contrasted that with an overall strength of 14,750 in March 2020 when "your government took over", saying there were 300,000 extra population at that time and that the State is down 1,000 rank and file Gardaí.
Local incidents and risks
He described a chronic situation in Tipperary and similar pressures nationwide, where single Gardaí are being sent to the most heinous and desperate situations. He recounted an incident last week in his own county where a sole Gardaí was out, "looking to survive his life, to an awful situation he should not have been expected to."
Responsibility and criticism
Mr McGrath held the Minister, the Commissioner and all the Assistant Commissioners responsible for the shortfall and lack of support. He said, "They are endangering Gardaí's lives by not having support for them, going out into all kinds of situations and dealing with all terrible episodes, and it is not acceptable."
Government response and reserve Gardaí
He quoted the Government position that Minister McEntee's top priority is supporting stronger, safer communities and increasing the strength of An Gardaí. He noted a recent campaign to recruit more reserve Gardaí, saying he met one in Monaghan and that reserve Gardaí have been making a huge contribution to local policing.
Closing remark
He concluded by signalling he would move on to another topic, saying "Now, I'm going to go to Galatí. Now, keep watching."
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I want to raise the chronic shortage of Gardaí on the ground in Tipperary. Despite the rising population and increased immigration, Gardaí numbers are in a worrying decline. As of 30 April 2024, the force stands at a total of 14,000 odd members, with just over 11,950 severing as rank and file Gardaí. This is a stark contrast to the overall strength of 14,750 ministers in March 2020, when your government took over, and you have been Minister of Justice too, and the fact that we have 300,000 extra population at that time, and we are down 1,000 rank and file Gardaí, in Tipperary it is a chronic situation, same all over the country, where single Gardaí are being called out the most heinous and desperate situations. We had one last week in my own county, where a sole Gardaí was out, looking to survive his life, to an awful situation he should not have been expected to. So, the Minister and the Commissioner and all the Assistant Commissioners must take responsibility. They are endangering Gardaí's lives by not having support for them, going out into all kinds of situations and dealing with all terrible episodes, and it is not acceptable. Minister McEntee's top priority is supporting stronger, safer communities, and that includes an ongoing focus on increasing the strength of An Gardaí. As you know, only recently there was a further campaign to get more reserve Gardaí on board. I met one only the other day, and I have to say they have been making a huge contribution to the local policing efforts in my own county of Monaghan. So, I can assure you that this Government is committed to increasing the number of Gardaí. Now, I'm going to go to Galatí. Now, keep watching.
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