Laois PPN (Public Participation Network) representative, Bobby Delaney has raised concerns at the falling number of Gardaí in Mountmellick.
The issue was raised with Garda Superintendent Eamon Curley at this week’s Laois Joint Policing Committee meeting.
Supt Curley pointed out that while Mountmellick are down one Garda from last year, they have added a second Sergant, bringing numbers in the town to two Sergants and seven Gardaí.
“Sergants are a very important element of how we opperate,” Supt Curley said, adding that An Garda Síochána is a “district-wide policing service.”
“Mountmellick Gardaí work very closely with their colleagues in Portarlington; while Portlaoise Gardaí regularly supplement Mountmellick,” he said.
Fianna Fáil Cllr Pascal McEvoy said that the Stradbally / Ballylinan area are suffering a similar problem to Mountmellick, but was quick to state that the Gardaí in place are doing a fantastic job.
Supt Curley said that Stradbally remains at two Gardaí while Ballylinan has been reduced by one after a retirement from the force last year.
Supt Curley concluded by saying there was a conscious effort to replenish the resources in question.
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