Elderly people afraid to go out over lack of gardaí

Sean O’Riordan

That claim was made yesterday by Labour TD Kathleen Lynch, who said she would be tabling a Dáil question to Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell, asking him about garda manpower levels in Cork.

“ASBO’S (Anti-Social Behaviour Orders) won’t work because there aren’t enough gardaí out there to enforce them,” Deputy Lynch said.

She further claimed that one night, only two gardaí were available in a patrol car to cover an area encompassing Mayfield, The Glen, Farranree and Blackpool. Deputy Lynch said that while more were on duty they were station-bound.

Senior garda sources said that reinforcements were always available from Anglesea Street and other districts if needed.

“I know resources can be brought in, but that will only happen if there’s a mini-riot,” Deputy Lynch said.

She acknowledged that a large number of gardaí were needed in the city centre, especially at weekends, to enforce law and order. However, she claimed that manpower levels in suburbs left a lot to be desired.

“I would be concerned if my son was a garda and he was expected to take on a gang of youths on his own. There simply isn’t enough manpower,” Deputy Lynch said.

She pointed out that at a recent public meeting held in Blackpool, a number of elderly people spoke of how they were afraid to come out of their homes at night, while others had been abused by gangs of drunken youths.

“We need more gardaí on the beat in these areas. Foot patrols need to be increased. I will be asking the Minister for Justice for a breakdown of the number of gardaí in each district for the past few years. In many areas the population has increased, but I doubt if manpower has increased proportionally,” Deputy Lynch said.