Concerns raised over lack of garda visibility in North Kilkenny

A North Kilkenny county councillor told a recent meeting of the Joint Policing Committee that he has have received numerous complaints in relation to garda visibility across the north of the county.

“As a public representative for the Castlecomer Municipal Area which stretches from Moneenroe to Urlingford my intention is to highlight the problem which in no way is a criticism of the serving gardaí who are doing an excellent job despite the restricted numbers.

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“I believe garda numbers across North Kilkenny are at all time low. In Castlecomer there is one sergeant and five gardaí,” said Councillor Michael McCarthy.

“In Ballyragget, the second largest town in the municipal district there is no garda at present,” he said adding that in his opinion the decision to sell the garda barracks was wrong.

“In Freshford there is one garda and there are two gardaí in Urlingford,” he said adding that previously Urlingford had a sergeant assigned to the town.

“The force in Castlecomer is approximately half of what it was not too many years ago. The picture is bleak and worrying and dare I say completely unacceptable when one looks at the figures of at least one other adjoining county where the Gardai numbers have increased.

“I know only too well Superintendent Derek Hughes is doing his best and I want to assure him of our political support in the battle for additional resources.”

Chief Supt Padraig Dunne told the meeting that he cannot increase numbers when ‘we don’t have the people coming out of garda college.