Call for more garda vehicles to make rural areas safer

The Garda Representative Association said the extra vehicles hired for Covid-19 policing operations are scheduled to be returned once the emergency measures end

Frontline gardaí looking for more vehicles. File photo

Frontline gardaí are calling for an increase to the planned rise in garda vehicles this year amid fears the extra vehicles hired during Covid-19 will be soon returned.

The Garda Representative Association (GRA) said the target of 287 new vehicles for 2020 was not enough, particularly given that the extra 210 vehicles hired for Covid-19 policing operations are scheduled to be returned once the emergency measures end.