Garda operations budgets cut by 30% as State denies crisis

BUDGETS for major garda operations have been slashed by up to 30%, it was claimed yesterday as a Government minister denied there was a problem over resources for the force.

The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors, the body that claimed crime in Limerick is in danger of escalating out of control due to a lack of resources, widened the debate by claiming it was a nationwide problem, particularly in the large urban areas.

Garda headquarters admitted members in Limerick are under severe pressure, but promised extra gardaí if senior officers feel they are needed.

Superintendent John Farrelly, stressed yesterday that garda resources were limited and that the commissioner had to prioritise. He said manpower and resources were not a bottomless pit.

AGSI general secretary George Maybury said the force across the country was stretched; that experienced members recruited for specialised units had not been replaced and that last year there was a higher than expected retirement rate.

The Government had rowed back on its promise to recruit a further 2,000 gardaí, Mr Maybury said.

He and other garda representatives are sceptical despite Justice Minister Michael McDowell pledging yesterday the recruitment drive would go ahead. Junior Minister Willie O’Dea denied a lack of resources was a problem in Limerick.

But Mr Maybury countered: “The Government in their manifesto stated that they were committed to recruiting a further 2,000. Since the Budget, they rowed back on that. Essentially they have said they will not be going ahead.”

The garda budget for 2003 increased by just 2% to €938m, a victim of across the board cuts The AGSI’s Limerick branch called for a dramatic increase in resources to help deal with what it claims is rising crime in the city, dubbed the country’s murder capital following the violent deaths of 18 people in 2001.

Mr Maybury, said criminals were taking advantage of staff shortages and often there were no gardaí to send to crime scenes. A shortage of experienced staff, particularly sergeants, is a problem, it is claimed. Many have been recruited for specialised units and not replaced.

In addition, “discretionary” money for major operations, essentially overtime, has been cut by up to 30%, according to garda sources.