Shatter accused of making Garda a ‘neighbourhood watch’
The stinging comments against the Fine Gael minister came as the opposition voiced concern over the closure of Garda stations nationwide.
Fianna Fáil accused the South Dublin TD of abandoning rural communities with the planned closure of over 90 stations over the next week.
At the beginning of a two-day private motion against the Government, Fianna Fáil justice spokesman Niall Collins claimed Mr Shatter was asking communities effectively now to contact gardaí on the move through Twitter and Facebook.
The Limerick TD claimed that Mr Shatter was turning the force into a “glorified neighbourhood scheme” in rural parts of Ireland.
He said Mr Shatter was completely detached from how vulnerable people felt in their homes and that the rate of burglaries and robberies was rising.
Fianna Fáil Cork South Central TD Michael McGrath said station closures and operational restrictions would have drastic consequences for his home city.
He said several stations would be closed, while others would have opening hours restricted. The result would be that Ireland’s second city would now have only one 24-hour station.
Criminals would be given greater opportunities by the cutbacks, argued the Fianna Fáil TD.
Mr Shatter strongly rejected the accusations and said he was disappointed that the debate had not been postponed following the killing of Det Garda Adrian Donohoe on Friday.
He pointed to plans for new divisional headquarters in Dublin, Galway, and Wexford, as well as agreement to increase the Garda fleet.
Any concern that station numbers were being reduced to 564 was scaremongering, he argued.
Mr Shatter also pointed out that Scotland, for instance, had 340 stations and over 5m people.
“Fianna Fáil’s objective is to generate substantial unnecessary public alarm and concern for self-serving perceived political gain,” said Mr Shatter.
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