Garda vehicles ordered ahead of station closures
The senior Fine Gael TD has confirmed the “substantial” €3m vehicle investment will be available to security forces across the country within the next three months.
The vehicles will mostly be patrol cars, but also include unmarked units and vans.
“This is a substantial investment in Garda transport, particularly at a time of severe budgetary constraints,” said Mr Shatter, announcing the plan.
“I am conscious of the need to support An Garda Síochána, to the greatest extent possible, in the vital work that they do.
“I am certain the delivery and commissioning of 170 new vehicles will enhance the capacity of An Garda Síochána to provide an effective and efficient policing service to communities throughout the country.”
The €3m worth of extra security comes after months of bickering between Mr Shatter and gardaí over the potential dangers caused by the Government’s cuts to rural Garda coverage across the country.
In particular, the 11,000- strong Garda Representative Association (GRA) has warned that the closure of 39 urban and rural stations this year — and the likelihood of more in 2013 — is damaging frontline defences against crime.
The GRA said it was aware of one recent incident where a woman whose house had been burgled in Co Donegal had to collect a garda from a local station after reporting the crime, because no patrol car was available.
However, Mr Shatter said the extra 170 vehicles would address any such situations.
All the new vehicles will be supplied by Ford Ireland, with senior Garda management deciding on where they should be based.
