Priest urges Government to reflect on impact of cuts
Fr Michael Cusack, rector of St Joseph’s Redemptorist Church, Dundalk, told the thousands of mourners — including hundreds of senior and rank-and-file officers — that everyone should think hard about the kind of policing they want.
“I think we need to look into the eyes of Caroline, look into the eyes of Adrian’s parents and allow what is best within us — our humanity — to recognise what evil can do when it’s allowed to flourish in a community,” he said.
In the aftermath of Det Gda Donohoe’s murder, Justice Minister Alan Shatter has already been forced to reject suggestions from within the force that the killing was in any way linked to cutbacks.
But Fr Cusack used his homily to highlight the fear and worry among people in rural areas over Garda station closures. “When it comes to reflecting on the Garda presence throughout the country, I think it is a good time for a serious reflection by all in this country around the need for further policing.
“My parents are now living in a rural community in Galway that has no police service,” the priest said.
“It only ever had one guard but that one guard brought great security. Since he moved, two men in their 80s have had their heads bashed in, one left without hearing or taste for the rest of his life.
“I see it in the eyes of so many in that village that they go to bed at night in fear. Is that the way we need to treat our brothers and sisters in our care?”
Fr Cusack questioned the cuts and austerity measures affecting policing, with Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Mr Shatter, and other senior political figures in the congregation.
Some 100 stations across the Garda network will close this year with 95 not being manned from today.
Also, Garda numbers have fallen to about 13,500 and it is expected about another 400 officers will retire this year.
Early this week, Garda Representative Association leader PJ Stone was the first to raise the issue of station closures and wider cuts following the shooting dead of Det Gda Donohoe.
He claimed that younger officers were living in “fear and trepidation” while more than 60% of the force had less than 10 years’ service and had never before experienced the cold-blooded murder of a colleague.
