Figures reveal ourorder of priorities
4,000 gardaí (35% of the force) and 2,000 army personnel were involved.
3,000 households in the Shannon area affected by a virtual lockdown
20,000 passengers inconvenienced by having to arrive at Shannon airport two to four hours before flight time.
11 miles of a major road (Limerick to Galway) closed for 24 hours.
Total cost: €10m approx.
Set this against the closure of rural garda stations all over the country.
In East Cork, for example, Ballycotton station is being reduced to a half-day operation five days per week. Youghal and Cloyne are also on reduced hours. Youghal and Ballycotton, two tourism centres, should be open full-time.
Other stations are listed either to follow suit or be closed completely by our Minister for Justice who seems more preoccupied with his right-wing ideology than with his responsibilities to protect ordinary citizens. Where, for instance, are the 2,000 extra gardaí promised before the last election?
It seems there was no problem finding resources to protect the man who has been described as the greatest threat to world peace today for a period of less than 24 hours.
But it seems far lesser importance is given to the lives and property of people in this country. Where are our priorities? Perhaps in the White House or Punchestown!
Cllr Noel Collins,
St Jude's,
Midleton,
Co Cork.
