Kilkenny councillor's Brexit fears of losing gardaí to border counties

A Fianna Fáil councillor has raised concerns over the potential loss of members of An Garda Síochana to the border counties in the event of a no-deal Brexit on March 29.

Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick raised the matter at yesterday's meeting of the Joint Policing Committee in County Hall.

"There is very positive engagement between an Garda Síochana and the local authority and the general public and you can see it working on the ground.

"I have a fear of a no deal Brexit," he said and asked whether "we could lose people to the border counties."

"I am very concerned. We need to keep our foot down on crime," he said.

Chief Superintendent Dominic Hayes said that there were ongoing discussions between the Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris and senior garda staff whose garda districts straggle the border.

Cllr Fitzpatrick told the meeting that there had been high visibility from An Garda Síochana in Kilkenny.

"I would hate to lose that - so much has been achieved. We should write to the Department of Justice and ask that garda levels in Kilkenny be maintained and improved," he added.