Newbridge based Senator Fiona O’Loughlin calls for additional Gardai for South Kildare
Senator O’Loughlin said, “Garda numbers in Kildare, and particularly in South Kildare, we have consistently had the lowest number of gardaí in the country and it is telling in terms of the number of crimes and burglaries and the antisocial behaviour that we very sadly have on our streets.”
“A very quick comparison of the numbers: Tullamore, a town with 24,951 people, has three inspectors, 9 sergeants and 73 gardaí. Portlaoise, with a population of 31,794, has 6 inspectors, 24 sergeants and 128 gardaí. Newbridge, with a population of 30,645, has 1 inspector, 2 sergeants and 44 gardaí, of which 13 are on a national team, so we have only 30 gardaí on the beat.”
“It is simply wrong. Athy for example, is short 9 gardaí. We have always had the lowest number and it is time we got our fair share of gardaí.”
Fiona concluded “I am contacted regularly by people who have had their properties damaged or have experience anti-social behaviour. We have brilliant gardai, who are embedded within our communities and are doing everything in their power to protect and support us all. But there are simply not enough Gardai in South Kildare”