Garda Commissioner Noreen O’Sullivan has sought a report into the decline of Garda numbers within the Donegal Division
She will then evaluate the matter on a county wide basis in conjunction with senior Garda authorities and report back once her report is completed.
Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher Leas-Cheann Comhairle has welcomed the reply which he has received from the Garda Commissioner.
Pat the Cope welcomed the commitment of the Garda Commissioner to have the matter looked into and a report compiled on the current compliment of Gardaí serving within the Donegal Division and the decline in numbers which has occurred over the past 6 years and the impact that is having on service delivery.
“This is a matter which I have raised on a number of occasions in Dail Éireann, with the Department of Justice and most recently with the Garda Commissioner, the commitment to have a report compiled is a welcome first step and it will be imperative that Garda management take real action and that Garda numbers will be increased within the Division on a phased basis over a prescribed period of time.”
Pat the Cope has further requested the Garda Commissioner by way of written correspondence – as an interim solution to the shortage of Gardaí in the Donegal Division to proactively look at all current internal Garda transferees, who are seeking to transfer into the Donegal Division and fast track their transfer in order to deal with the current shortages within the Garda ranks in the County.
“The Donegal Division has experienced massive decline in Garda numbers over the past 6 years and the situation is steadily worsening- it is going to essential that immediate action is taken to strengthen Garda numbers and to properly resource the Donegal Division in order that they can carry out their duties to meet the growing challenges facing them on a daily basis,” concluded Pat the Cope.
