CUTS to Garda resources are beginning to hit victims of crime here in Co Donegal, a local TD claimed today.
Donegal North East TD, Pádraig Mac Lochlainn has expressed his concern about Garda response times to recent incidents of crime in Inishowen.
He is concerned that despite assurances received from the Minister for Justice and senior Gardaí, cutbacks to Garda resources are now having an impact.
Deputy Mac Lochlainn: “Over recent days, I feel that Garda response times to a number of incidents including the theft of sheep in a number of locations and fireworks being thrown at a family home have been unacceptable.
“When the victims of these crimes reported what had happened to Gardaí, they were told that it would be at least 24 hours before they would have the matters investigated and statements taken.
“I have made my concerns about this clear to local senior Gardaí and I have decided to speak out about this publicly because I am convinced that Government cutbacks are now impacting on the level of service to the public. I want to be very clear. I do not criticise local Gardaí who are doing their best with the resources and personnel they have available. Indeed the people who have spoken to me do not blame local Gardaí either. But we cannot ignore slow response times that may give a green light to criminals to continue with their activities.
“The partnership between the local community and Gardaí is vital to tackling crime. If slow response times to crime were to become the norm, then that partnership would be very much undermined and confidence in our policing service will fall. I will not stand by and quietly alllow that to happen”
