Garda Chief Superintendent John Scanlan has said “one-man garda stations” in Laois are set to become a thing of the past.
There has been a substantial increase in the number of Garda in the past year, and so the superintendent says it should be possible to end one-man stations in the long term and to increase garda numbers in larger stations around the country.
“My aim is that there will be no more one-man stations in Laois. We also need to increase Garda numbers in Portarlington, Abbeyleix, Rathdowney, Mountrath and some other stations” he said at the latest Joint Policing Committee meeting in Portlaoise.
Mountrath has one sergeant and two gardaí, Rathdowey has three garda members, but one is on long-term sick leave.
Both stations are supplemented by “significant” gardai numbers in Portlaoise, who can back up local gardaí when needed.
The superintendent added that many new garda trainees are on a probationary period in Portlaoise.
The next phase will see them moving to smaller stations once they are fully trained.
Additional members in traffic corps
Meanwhile, three additional gardaí took up duty in the local traffic corps last week. The Laois-Offaly chief superintendent added to the post of community sergeant in Portlaoise did not exist six months ago and is significant asset in the community.
The post is currently filled by Sgt Steve Mulqueen who cllr Catherine Fitzgerald praised for his invaluable assistance in dealing with a number of issues in Portlaoise.
Cllr Paddy Bracken called for more gardaí in Mountmellick, although acknowledged an increase in policing in the town this year.
“When gardaí are active in the community, it gives people a sense of security and I’d acknowledge that is the case in the past year,” he said.
Scanlan responded to this saying; “I would love to give you more guards in Mountmellick and I acknowledge the compliments in relation to the increase in policing there.”
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