Friday, November 26, 2010
THE largest Garda body has described the axing of 1,500 gardaí as "shocking" and said they feared the service to the public "will suffer".
The Garda Representative Association (GRA), representing around 11,000 rank and file members, said the cuts were a "false economy" as research showed crime rises during a recession.
The association was responding to the National Recovery Plan which plans to cut Garda numbers from 14,500 this year to 13,500 next year, and to 13,000 in 2014, a total drop of 10%.
The plan also states there will be €25m savings from unspecified Garda management efficiencies and €140m in overtime, allowances and transport costs, much of it within the force.
"Garda numbers are vital to stem rising crime, the proposed further reduction is erroneous and a false economy," said GRA president Damien McCarthy.
"It is accepted worldwide that crime increases during a recession or when police numbers and morale are reduced. All these conditions are prevalent in Ireland."
He said the cuts follow announcements by Justice Minister Dermot Ahern last June of 100 new Garda recruits which, he said, had failed to materialise.
"We have been eagerly awaiting the 100 new recruits promised in June, and to find that our numbers are to be further reduced is shocking and gravely disappointing. Gardaí are struggling to cope with the increased workload with fewer staff, and we fear the service we provide the public will suffer."
Mr McCarthy said the Government was arbitrarily deciding how many gardaí were needed and said this decision was based on accountancy rather than scientific analysis.
"How can we do our job with 13,000 gardaí when only a few years ago the government told the country we needed 16,000."
As reported in the Irish Examiner yesterday, the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) has already criticised the plan, saying it would bring supervisory ranks back to a time when they "struggled" to provide a quality service.
Sources at senior Garda ranks said they shared these concerns. Several said there were around 1,400 gardaí eligible to retire, having served 30 years and reached the age of 50. With no recruits, they said the figure of 1,500 could be reached, if those eligible to retire decided to do so.
"The cuts will have an effect. We will end up with a very, very junior force," said one superintendent. "If those eligible retire, we will loose experience, we will loose sergeants, we are going to lose middle management, as they are the ones who have done the time."
He said some districts, particularly outside Dublin, could be "totally denuded" of experienced supervisors. "The ones that will go have vast experience and vast knowledge," he said.
He said the cuts come at a time when thefts and robberies are already going up and the threat from organised crime and dissidents continues.
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