Gardaí left ‘without adequate back up’

BUDGET cuts and a failure to follow through with promises of extra gardaí has left members on the beat without adequate back up, it was claimed yesterday.

President of the Garda Representative Association (GRA) Michael Kirby launched a scathing attack on the Government following the publication of proposals for the most wide ranging reform of the force in recent years.

Justice Minister Michael McDowell published the ‘heads of bill’ on Wednesday. The key proposals are the introduction of a Garda Inspectorate and the setting up of a reserve force.

However, the setting up of a reserve force will cost money, which would be better spent making sure gardaí are resourced now, Mr Kirby said.

“If it was adequately resourced, I feel we could deal with the major public order problems. History has shown this can be done,” he said.

Mr McDowell said he was publishing the proposals to allow all concerned with the future of the force to take part in a consultative process.

Mr Kirby felt the proposals were pie in the sky since there is no budget to deliver them: “There is a complete absence of any budgetary provisions in his proposals yet we are living in an era of severe cutbacks.”

Garda management has been told to spend 23 million less than last year and there is no sign of the promised 2,000 extra gardaí. This has meant serious problems on the ground, according to the GRA.

While the GRA has welcomed the consultation process, Mr Kirby argued the force will remain under-resourced while this takes place and then while the bill makes its slow way through the Oireachtas.

The proposals have been criticised by opposition politicians.

Fine Gael’s John Deasy said Mr McDowell was avoiding the real issue of diminishing garda staffing levels.

“Unless the Government provides extra money for extra garda resources and personnel, Ireland’s serious crime problem will remain in a state of crisis,” Mr Deasy warned.

Labour’s justice spokesman Joe Costello said the reforms were of little value unless radical measures were taken to address the declining public confidence in the State’s policing.

“The once strong relationship between the gardaí and the public has been sapped by the very serious allegations of misconduct and growing perception the gardaí are in many areas disengaged and slow to respond to calls from the public,” Mr Costello said.