“Alarming” low levels of new Gardaí assigned to Galway

The low levels of new Gardaí assigned to Galway in the past few years make for “alarming reading” according to one Galway TD.

Only 36 probationary gardaí have been assigned to the Galway division since January 2015 according to Galway East TD Anne Rabitte.

That’s simply not enough to keep up with the demand of a modern police force, she said, adding that at Joint Policing Committee meetings it was mad clear that at least 41 new recruits are needed in Galway alone.

The small number of gardaí being “drip fed” into the region is having a serious affect in the area according to the Fianna Fáil TD, particularly in rural areas.

“In rural Ireland people can feel vulnerable and their concerns increase when they do not notice a Garda presence in the area.”

“There is a major lack of resources in the western region. Despite having a new divisional headquarters in Galway we have no Garda dog unit and low Garda levels.”

This problem is echoed through the west of Ireland as Mayo has only been assigned 18 new recruits since 2015, with a further 18 going to Roscommon-Longford.

“Since 2015 the west has been ignored in terms of policing and not provided with adequate resources,” Deputy Rabbitte finished.