REVELATIONS that there are 100 less Gardaí in Donegal since 2008 have been slammed by Sinn Féin Councillor and Chairperson of Donegal Joint Policing Committee Councillor Gerry McMonagle.
Cllr McMonagle has hit out at both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil over the dramatic cuts made to Garda numbers in Donegal between 2008 and 2016 during which period both parties had spent time in Government and which seen force numbers slashed from 488 Gardaí in 2008 down to 384 in 2016 – a reduction of 104.
Condemning the figures, Cllr McMonagle said: “These figures, which I’ve received following the tabling of a Parliamentary Question to the Minister for Justice this week by my colleagues Deputy Pearse Doherty, have served to fully show the extent of cuts to Garda numbers in this county which have been made and presided over by successive Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael led Governments.
“The data shows that at their peak back in 2008, the total number of Gardaí based in the Donegal Division across all five of its operational districts totalled 488.
“Fast forward to 2016, and each year since we’ve witnessed a scaling back of Garda numbers here which last year stood at just 384 Gardaí – that’s a reduction of 104.
“Not alone has the number of Gardaí in Donegal been cut by over 20% from their peak over eight years ago, but we’ve also witnessed the loss of an entire Garda operational district following the closure of the Glenties Garda district back in 2012.
“While these figures will likely come as no surprise to the many communities throughout Donegal who have experienced first-hand the scale of Garda station closures and dwindling Garda numbers over the last number of years, the data does however reflect the wider decision making of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael in Government as well as the scant regard which both parties have for this county and the safety of its people.
“The present Government has stated that it hopes to see the force grow to 21,000 personnel by 2021 through the recruitment of additional Garda members, and an increase to both Garda Reserve numbers and civilians, however for many rural communities which have been left devastated by cut backs to the force since the economic downturn this initiative is too little, too late.
“Clearly neither party has much thought for crime prevention in our rural communities when they have both sat back and watched the Garda force here in Donegal become as greatly diminished as is now the case.”
I have today sent a letter to the Garda Commissioner in my capacity as Chairperson of the Donegal Joint Policing Committee asking her to look again at her allocations of New Garda Recruits to Donegal and to increase her allocations to Donegal from the next traunch of new recruits Passing Out in February of this year.
