'Not good enough': Dublin awarded nearly nine times as many probationer gardaí as Cork

A Cork TD has said it is “clearly not good enough” that Dublin has been awarded nearly nine times as many probationer gardaí as Cork, with the Southern Region having received the smallest allocation of graduates.

Sinn Féin’s Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire said much more manpower is needed in Cork, particularly coming up to Christmas, and that Dublin is not large enough to justify getting more than half of the graduates.

Yesterday, 169 gardaí were attested as sworn members of An Garda Síochána.

Of the new graduates, 96 will be stationed in Dublin, 31 in the Eastern Region, 24 in the North Western Region, and just 18 in the Southern Region.

Eleven of the 18 will be stationed in Cork, eight in the city, and three in the county.

Four have been assigned to Anglesea St, three to Togher, two to Mayfield, and one to Gurranabraher, as well as one each in Bandon, Clonakilty, and Mallow.

Sinn Féin TD for Cork South-Central Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire told The Echo: “This has long been a source of concern for the people of Cork.

“The fact is, we haven’t been getting a fair shake in terms of garda allocation.

“These newest numbers are an improvement of previous times when we have gotten just one, two, or three, but they are still nowhere near good enough.”

“I’d like to think there’s been something of a recognition from garda management that we’ve been let down in Cork, and that’s why there’s a slight increase, but much more is needed,” Mr Ó Laoghaire said.

“Dublin is bigger than Cork, but it’s not nine times bigger, yet there have been disproportionate numbers going to Dublin every single time.

“Two things are needed — a massive increase in garda recruitment and a fair allocation. 

“What we are getting at the moment is still clearly not good enough.”

Mr Ó Laoghaire added that at this time of year, it is particularly important to have a strong garda presence in Cork city.

“Garda presence is crucial around this time of year, to protect businesses and so that people feel confident to come in and enjoy being in the city centre,” he said.

We want people to come in, spend money but also enjoy themselves — one of the things we need to make that happen is adequate garda numbers.”

A further 277 garda recruits are currently undergoing training, and the next intake of garda recruits is scheduled to enter the garda college on Monday.

Speaking at the graduation, Taoiseach Simon Harris said: “This is a very special day for each newly-attested garda and their families.

“It is a celebration of the hard work and commitment that has taken them to this point.

“We recognise the importance of a highly visible policing service and robust resourcing is at the heart of that.

“The Government will continue to ensure the men and women of An Garda Síochána have the legislation, technology, and supports to perform your vital mission of keeping people safe.”