Concerns as Garda vehicles not replaced

HUNDREDS of Garda patrol cars, 4x4s and unmarked cars have been taken off the roads in the past four years — but just half of these vehicles have been replaced with new models.

Gardaí say this lack of Garda cars is having a serious effect on crime prevention as gardaí cannot go on patrol. Rural TDs say this problem is particularly acute in the countryside as gardaí cannot go “on the beat on foot” or use bicycles or even horses.

A total of 365 Garda vehicles were taken off the road in the past four years but just 190 new 4x4s and cars were brought on stream, according to Department of Justice figures.