Drop in garda numbers in area hit by killings

The fall in numbers comes as gardaí prepare policing plans for gangland funeral

Gardaí outside Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown after a shooting incident which occurred on Christmas Eve. Picture: Sasko Lazarov / RollingNews.ie

The resources available to the garda district facing a renewed upsurge in gangland violence has reduced significantly in recent years, according to official figures and security sources.

The amount of frontline gardaí in the ‘K’ district in Dublin Metropolitan Region West division — covering Blanchardstown, Finglas, and Cabra — has declined by 11% compared to three years ago.

It comes as gardaí in the district draw up policing plans for the funerals of Jason Hennessy, who was fatally shot in a restaurant in Blanchardstown on Christmas Eve, and of Tristan Sherry, the gunman who was overpowered by customers and fatally injured.

The funeral of Mr Hennessy, a 48-year-old man from Corduff in Blanchardstown, may take place as early as this week, with the funeral of Mr Sherry, aged 26 and from Finglas, to follow.

It is understood that the bodies have not yet been released to the families.

A significant garda operation is expected, given fears that the Corduff gang, which Mr Hennessy was associated with, will put on a “show of strength” on the day.

There are significant concerns that the leaders of the gang, known for their volatility and propensity for violence, will seek revenge for his killing.

Mr Hennessy is believed to leave behind five children — three sons and two daughters — as well as his wife.

The motive for the gun attack is still being investigated. While many reports have linked it with a once-violent feud with a Finglas gang, other reports suggest Sherry may have carried out the shooting in revenge for being attacked by Mr Hennessy.

Official figures show that garda numbers have fallen significantly in the Blanchardstown district in recent years, with an 11% reduction at the frontline rank of ‘garda’ in the last three years alone — from 302 in 2020 to 270 at the end of November.

Compared to 2010, the fall is more dramatic, from 322 to 270 — a drop of 16%.

“There is a huge, huge shortage of gardaí in Dublin West, it’s chronic,” said one security source. 

The riots in town and the political pressure to put resources into the city centre means less patrolling in the west.” 

At the recent attestation of new gardaí from Templemore College last December, 151 were promised for Dublin, some 20 of which are expected for DMR West.

Sources said large numbers of gardaí have been transferred away from regular policing to specialist divisional units such as the Protective Services Unit, which has a complement of 40 gardaí, and a Regional Crime Task Force.

In addition, a number of gardaí from the DMR West division have been sent to boost numbers in Dublin Cty centre in response to concerns for people's safety as a result of the Dublin riots last November.

Garda Mark Ferris, Garda Representative Association delegate for DMR West, said policing was at “breaking point” because of what he said was a “failure” to recruit sufficient numbers of new entrants despite successive increases in police budgets.

He said DMR West accounted for 10% of all resignations in the force, and said members were exposed to a “high-risk, hostile environment”.