Policing support for fundraisers ‘in jeopardy’

Fundraising runs, walks, and cycles in one county could be put at risk after a senior garda warned that dwindling resources may result in the withdrawal of Garda support for such events.

At a meeting of the Co Clare joint policing committee (JPC), Chief Supt John Kerin warned that if the force in Clare suffered a further reduction in manpower it had “to follow on that services are going to suffer”.

He said: “I simply can’t sustain more reduction in resources.”

Chief Supt Kerin confirmed that one of the areas of policing that may suffer is the support for the fundraising road events that attract thousands of people in Co Clare every weekend.

He told the meeting: “We’re delighted to be able to provide Garda support to those communities who are trying to raise funds for very, very good causes through the different charity cycles, walks and runs that take place in Clare every weekend.

He added however: “But, I only have ‘X’ amount of man power every Saturday and Sunday and if my numbers are reduced further, unfortunately we are going to have to start telling people: ‘Sorry, we can’t help you with traffic management by having a garda car going around with you, ye are going to have to do that yourselves’.

“Of course that has safety and insurance implications. I hope it doesn’t come to that... While we have been doing well up to now, any future reductions are going to have a serious impact.”

The annual Packie Ryan memorial run in the village of Newmarket on Fergus has raised €100,000 for various charities over the past three years and the 2013 event is to take place on Mar 23 next.

One of the event organisers, Flan Sheedy said any withdrawal of Garda support for the event, that attracted 2,000 people last year, “would have severe implications and cause major problems”.

Chief Supt Kerin said the force in Clare had lost 48 members in the past two years who have not been replaced.

He said that between 2008 and 2012, the cost of policing in Clare has reduced by €5.5m through reduced salaries, overtime, and personnel.

Chief Supt Kerin said that during the period, crime had dropped by 33% in the county.

He said the force in the county has lost one third of its management team and was set to lose more personnel with four more members leaving in the next two months.

“We have managed well all along, but unless we start getting replacements, you will see a reduction in service.”