Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Gardaí in Dublin during the visit of Queen Elizabeth Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland

Fall in Garda numbers will have 'significant impact' on policing services

Gardaí warn of knock-on effects of early retirements which could leave one in twelve stations without a permanent garda.

FORTHCOMING REDUCTIONS IN the number of gardaí will have a ‘significant impact’ on policing, a representative of a garda association has warned.

The projected cut in the garda payroll from 14,200 to 13,000 officers by the end of 2014 also risks leaving the service with a serious shortage of experienced supervisors, according to Aidan O’Donnell of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors.

Mr O’Donnell was responding to the revelation yesterday by RTE’s Prime Time that voluntary retirements in An Garda Síochána – the primary means by which staff reductions are to be achieved – could leave eight per cent of stations without a permanent garda, and one in ten without a sergeant.

He said that of the AGSI’s 2,300 members, 400 would be entitled to take retirement. “That’s a significant reduction,” he said. “There’s no doubt that this would have some form of impact, a significant impact, on our ability to police effectively.”

Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Mr O’Donnell also warned that the cuts could have a knock-on effect as experienced officers retire, leaving newer recruits without effective supervision. Sergeants and inspectors are “supervisors of a young police force, with a very young profile,” he said. “And when you take that also in terms of the moratorium on recruitment, there’s a double-edged sword.”

Minister for Justice Alan Shatter yesterday acknowledged that senior ranks will be “proportionately more liable” to take retirement, but insisted that these positions “will be maintained at the appropriate level through internal promotions”. He told Morning Ireland this morning that “gardaí will fully meet their duties, frontline duties will continue and that the crackdown on organised crime will be maintained.”

He also said that 13,000 was the number of gardaí on the force in 2006, adding: “No one suggested in 2006 that the force could not meet its obligations.”

Mr O’Donnell refused to propose an alternative means to make budget savings, saying it is “very difficult for us to have a panacea for this issue”. Asked whether the State’s current tally of 670 garda stations was too high and could be a possible avenue for cuts, he acknowledged that the number of stations was a “historic issue”. However, he said: “The traditional expectation that stations are available and are open, and you do have  a local guard and a local sergeant, that’s something that sits very well with communities.”

Read more: Retirements could leave stations without permanent garda>

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
10 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Enda Lee
    Favourite Enda Lee
    Report
    Sep 2nd 2011, 8:23 AM

    You’d know theres a budget coming up when the GRA start beating their war drum.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ian Farrell
    Favourite Ian Farrell
    Report
    Sep 2nd 2011, 9:02 AM

    Where does it say the GRA in this article??? Think you need to read the article again…… it actually states Mr. O’Donnell is attached to the AGSI…..

    55
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Enda Lee
    Favourite Enda Lee
    Report
    Sep 2nd 2011, 9:56 AM

    Apologies, it’s the association of sergeants & inspectors. They’re less militant then the GRA.

    1
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Declan Carroll
    Favourite Declan Carroll
    Report
    Sep 2nd 2011, 11:17 AM

    Militant ? How do u make that out ? Gdi can’t strike & reports indicate morale is very low. For a workforce where an awful lot is expected without thanks & gratitude from some sections of society, the Gdi are timid in their reactions compared to the ESB for example ( where a so-called communist gets paid E80k a year ). If many are eligible to retire, why not ? U would too if you could, Enda Lee.

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Enda Lee
    Favourite Enda Lee
    Report
    Sep 2nd 2011, 11:41 AM

    There’s a certain element of posturing & politics in this. the threat of increased taxes has been hanging over Garda retirement lump sums for a few years now. They are saying this is how the top level of the force is shaped up retirement wise, and nothing should be done to make them rush for retirement anytime soon.
    And the GRA are quite militant, take Pj Stones threat of Gardai going on strike a while back, it took a firm hand from Dermot Ahern & the then commissioner to settle that.
    And Im not having a go at the normal Garda, have great time for many of them. I am just pointing out that theres more to this report being released now then just concern for the force.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cormac Flanagan
    Favourite Cormac Flanagan
    Report
    Sep 2nd 2011, 12:21 PM

    This report was done internally by the guards and only released in a prime time programme. the individual was only commenting on it as a result of prime time. Yip over the new three years garda numbers are going to get dangerously low. And during a recession when crime rates go up.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Stamper
    Favourite Tony Stamper
    Report
    Sep 2nd 2011, 1:02 PM

    There will be less Guards to not bother investigating political corruption, financial crime and industrial scale child abuse by the Church.

    If we had less Guards but insisted but held them accountable, demanded professionalism, no tolerance for corruption in the force etc etc, then we would all be better off.

    There are plenty of good Guards but there is a very large no. that should be kicked out of the force, and would be in most Western countries. Italy being an exception.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Colm Mooney
    Favourite Colm Mooney
    Report
    Nov 24th 2011, 4:54 PM

    all motorists are not criminals but ALL criminals use the countrys roadways. however..with the state of the fleet and the lack of investment in the fleet..patrol cars are vital tools of the trade btw..and the reduction in numbers..morale..lowest in years..will take another beating. as for comments about not investigating..just check local papers nationwide see how much work is done..members are working tirelessly..slow progress is unfortunately a fact of our legal system

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rob Cahill
    Favourite Rob Cahill
    Report
    Sep 2nd 2011, 2:05 PM

    Does this mean less fighting crime so they can still bother the same number of motorists???

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Declan Carroll
    Favourite Declan Carroll
    Report
    Sep 2nd 2011, 9:21 PM

    Checking on drivers with drink on board is “bother” ??!! That’s a part of what Gdi do.

    9
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds