City authority should press for extra gardaí

THE recent report by John Fitzgerald recommended that 100 additional gardaí be stationed in local bases in the communities at risk in Limerick.

Without them, intimidation will grow, hard-working citizens will continue to flee their homes and those who scare them out will be further emboldened — as Cathal McCarthy indicated in his letter (June 20).

The city’s former mayor, Cllr Joe Leddin, downplayed the role of the city council in implementing the Fitzgerald report (Letters, June 27).

However, Limerick City Council isn’t powerless.

It could request a meeting with the Garda commissioner to find out when the 100 additional gardaí are being assigned?

It could work with the new development agencies and the gardaí to acquire property for new garda bases.

The city council could examine if it is following best practice in dealing with the minority of tenants who have been involved in anti-social behaviour?

Under Mr Fitzgerald’s recommendations, Limerick City Council would beextended northwards as far as the Clare county boundary: what measures would the city council take to welcome a new part of the city?

If, on the other hand, the city council cannot do any of these things, surely it should be demanding that its own powers to be strengthened?

James Nix

Woodcock Hill

Meelick

Co Clare