Superintendent Eamon Curley has announced the newly launched Sectoral Policing program for Portlaoise town.
The new program is designed to increase Garda visibility enhance the relationship between An Garda Síochána and the community in Portlaoise.
Under the program, Portlaoise has been divided into eight distinct zones, known as Community Policing Team Areas.
Supt Eamon Curley said these zones will provide “a more targeted and efficient approach to public safety and engagement.”
The Community Policing Team Areas are as follows:
JA 1.1 – From Main Street to Laois Shopping Centre, Kyle Shopping Centre (new Dunnes Stores), Lismard Business Park (includes Homebase and Ben Dunne Gym), Midway Service Station, Abbeyleix Road, O’Moore Park and Kea-Lew Business Park (where Expert Electrical).
JA 1.2 – From Junction 17 to Clonmainam Business Park (Roll n Bowl), Portlaoise College, and the Mountrath Road.
JA 1.3 – Scoile Bhríd National School, Knockmay, taking in the Mountmellick Road (including the old Dunnes Stores), out to the Ridge Road and in towards Liogard.
JA 1.4 – From the Ridge Road to Liogard and Rossvale along the Mountmellick Road, past Rossleighan Park (Portlaosie soccer club) and all of Fairgreen.
JA 1.5 – From the Ridge Road to Esker Hills, Portlaoise Leisure Centre, and on to the Dublin Road as far as Portlaoise Prison.
JA 1.6 – Along the Dublin Road from Portlaoise Prison as far as Downey’s service station, along Collier’s Lane as far as St Mary’s CBS and Scoil Chriost Rí and back in towards The Grange.
JA 1.7 – From Downey’s service station to Junction 16, taking in all of Kilminchy and The Hermitage.
JA 1.8 – From St Peter and Paul’s Church and Maryborough National School, along the Dublin Road taking in Portlaoise Fire Station, St Fintan’s Hospital, Midlands Hospital Portlaoise, out past Higgs Lane, out to Laois Sawmills, past Rathleague (Portlaoise GAA) and in as far as Kilsaran.
Each zone has been assigned a dedicated Community Garda, who will oversee the day-to-day policing in their designated areas.
Garda Daniel Sheehy will oversee JA 1.1 and JA 1.2, with eight Gardaí designated for JA 1.1 and five Gardaí for JA 1.2.
Garda Ronan Maher will oversee JA 1.3 and JA 1.4, with ten Gardaí designated for JA 1.3 and four Gardaí for JA 1.4.
Garda Joseph Fahy will oversee JA 1.5 and JA 1.8, with four Gardaí designated for JA 1.5 and five Gardaí for JA 1.8.
Garda Aran Grahan will oversee JA 1.6 and JA 1.7, with five Gardaí designated for JA 1.6 and four Gardaí for JA 1.7.
In total, 49 members of Portlaoise Garda Station will be directly involved in the program.
The Garda selected have been chosen based on their knowledge of their designated areas.
As well as the positives the program will bring to the community of Portlaoise, Supt Curley said it will also develop the Gardaí’s skills in dealing with the public.
Supt Curley also says the program offers a great way to introduce Gardaí newly arriving in Portlaoise.
“Portlaoise Garda Station is dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of the community through innovative policing strategies and close community engagement,” An Garda Siochana said.
“Portlaoise town has been strategically divided into eight zones, adhering to Central Statistics Office geographic delineations, with each zone assigned a designated Community Garda.
“This arrangement is bolstered by the support of regular Gardaí from Portlaoise Garda Station assigned to specific areas within each zone.
“This structure aims to ensure that every street, home and business in Portlaoise benefits from dedicated patrolling by An Garda Síochána.”
An Garda Síochána have also created an interactive map detailing the division of Portlaoise into these eight designated zones.
The Gardaí say they are hopeful of rolling out the plan in other major Laois towns including Portarlington and Mountmellick.
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