North Kilkenny 'being starved' of garda resources, says councillor

North Kilkenny is currently 'being starved' of garda resources, according to local councillor Pat Fitzpatrick.

Cllr Fitzpatrick, who is also the Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, made the comment at the most recent meeting of the Joint Policing Committee.

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"Castlecomer and North Kilkenny is being starved of resources and it really needs to be addressed," he told committee members.

"Visibility is so important and we need more boots on the ground."

Speaking to Kilkenny Live after the meeting, Cllr Fitzpatrick stated that the issue has worsened 'ever since the relocation of the Chief Superintendent's office to Waterford'.

"I will be making appeals to the Chief Super' to allocate more gardaí to the area because I am very concerned at how things are developing," he said.

"The gardaí currently operating in the area are doing a great job but they are far too stretched.

"We need to see more community engagement gardaí and members of the garda traffic corps in the area."

Cllr Fitzpatrick also told Kilkenny Live that it is his understanding that the allocation of garda college graduates is currently being 'heavily weighted to the Waterford area'.

"Areas such as Castlecomer and Ballyraggett in North Kilkenny are missing out as a result," he said.