Writes Ciaran Dineen
A Community Policing Forum is expected to take place in Carrigaline with members of the public welcome to attend later this month. The news was revealed by Superintendent John Deasy at a recent meeting of the Joint Policing Committee.
The last time a meeting was held was way back in February 2020, meaning that it will be a full two years since the public have had the opportunity to attend a policing forum meeting, but it isn’t confirmed whether it will take place online or in person.
Cllr Seámus McGrath (FF) and Cllr Ben Dalton O’Sullivan (Ind) have been calling for the resumption of meetings for some time in order to allow residents put forward concerns and raise issues relating to policing.
There have been continuous calls of late for the Carrigaline Garda Station to increase its staffing numbers, with Councillors and the public alike not satisfied over the opening hours of the station and the lack of presence of gardaí in the town. Similar frustrations have also been felt in Crosshaven, particularly during the summer months when anti-social behaviour becomes more prevalent on beaches and in the town.
Speaking on the matter Cllr McGrath told The Carrigdhoun Newspaper, “The Community Forum is an important engagement between the Guards and the local community. Unfortunately, we have not been able to hold the meetings in recent times so it is vitally important to get them underway again. I have written to the Superintendent requesting a meeting as soon as possible. Key issues to be discussed will be Garda resources and the Station opening hours”.
To improve the matter of station opening hours, Cllr Dalton O’Sullivan put forward a motion last year suggesting that civilian gardaí should be drafted in to deal with the administration requests from members of the community. According to the independent councillor, it is hoped that civilian gardaí may be sent to the Carrigaline station by April.
He commented saying “I’m delighted that the community Garda forum meetings are being resumed for Carrigaline/Crosshaven & surrounding areas following the Covid pandemic. These meetings are very valuable for the greater community to raise their concerns with the local Gardaí and have proved very effective in the past.
In Cork County Council, I am a member of the County Joint Policing Committee and the biggest concern by far in the community of Carrigaline is the opening hours at Carrigaline Garda station and I have been putting forward motions to try and secure guaranteed opening hours at the station. I’m glad to say, following these motions, that plans are afoot for civilian Gardaí in the station and hopefully these plans will be finalised shortly”
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