Concerns about the levels of policing being provided in the south of the county were expressed at today’s meeting of the Tipp Cahir Cashel MD. Cllr Andy Moloney expressed huge concerns for the District as he proposed a motion calling on the Minister for Justice to “give a full report to members on the changes in the Garda Policing Districts and asking that Cahir Station not be downgraded as a result and that Cahir will hold it’s existing staffing levels and be considered for extra recruits as it is located on the busiest cross road in Munster.”
Councillor Moloney says the public may not be aware of the changes as there are now 3 new geographic areas in the county and that the Superintendent previously based in Cahir is now located in Clonmel. The Independent Councillor says Cashel Garda station is effectively closed despite the town having so many visitors annually – Cahir and Cashel would have close to 400,000 visitors to historic sites annually apart from the needs of residents.
The Councillor is seeking assurances that the three units based in Cahir – Roads Policing, Rapid Response Unit and local Garda service will not be depleted. Previous promises of substations and extra cars have not been kept according to the councillor who received support from Cllr Mairin McGrath, Independent, Marie Murphy Fine Gael and Cllr Roger Kennedy Fianna Fáil.
Cllr McGrath says stations such as Ardfinnan, Clogheen and Ballyporeen must be properly resourced. Cllr Mary Hanna Hourigan Fine Gael says the District needs to fight for resources. Cathaoirleach Cllr Declan Burgess Fine Gael says it is frustrating to see what he calls a “failed model of policing being implemented and added that Cashel Garda Station is open for a maximum of two hours per day if at all as all of it’s clerical staff have been relocated to Cahir Station
