Security boost at Shannon creates cash crisis

INCREASED security at Shannon Airport is leading to severe cutbacks in garda stations around the country, the Garda Representative Association (GRA) has claimed.

Gardaí have been transferred from Galway, Roscommon and Mayo to help secure US military planes in Shannon.

The GRA is concerned that general police work, particularly in the west of the country, is suffering.

“There is a lot of worry and concern that this is taking up a large percentage of the budget. There are several cutbacks in other places already,” GRA president and Shannon-based garda, Michael Kirby said.

GRA deputy general secretary John Healy believes security at high-profile events could be hit by the cash crisis.

“There might not be enough money to pay overtime to a large number of gardaí at events like the Galway races this summer,” Mr Healy said.

The GRA is urging the Justice Minister Michael McDowell to establish a separate budget for Shannon.

“There needs to be an individual budget for the airport. All the funding seems to be coming out of the main garda budget,” Mr Kirby said.

The garda press office is unable to reveal the cost of the Shannon security operation, but the GRA believe the bill is running to millions.

Angry gardaí will raise the Shannon issue with Mr McDowell at the upcoming GRA annual conference.

The number of gardaí at Shannon Garda Station has increased from 30 to 144 since security was stepped up at the airport on February 6 last.

This includes 40 student gardaí from Templemore who back up officers maintaining a 24-hour presence at Shannon.

Many gardaí at the airport are also concerned about their safety.

“Working in an airport is a different environment. If you are securing a plane on the ground you have to be careful where you stand - standing behind an engine can leave you with genuine deafness,” Shannon-based sergeant John Sullivan said.

The GRA also claimed that some of the airport work is extremely difficult and monotonous.

“Standing underneath an aircraft throughout the night; unprotected from the cold wind can be most uncomfortable compared to sitting in a mobile patrol,” Mr Kirby added.