This article is from page 2 of the 2013-03-05 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 2 JPG
GARDA resources in Clare are stretched to breaking point with Clare Chief Superintendent, John Kerin, warning of “serious implications” if fresh blood is not allowed to flow into the force soon. Garda numbers in Clare have been reduced by 48 over the past two years and, according to Chief Supt Kerin, a number of retirements and career breaks are due to take place in the coming months.
Chief Supt Kerin also warned that he may have to take matters into his own hands and close number of smaller stations later this year because of a lack of manpower. This comes following the release of statistics for 2012 which show that gardaí in Clare have been performing welldespite the cuts.
“Four more members are leaving over the next two months and a number of others are looking at career breaks later this year. There is a rush of gardaí leaving in the months ahead. We have lasted well so far [during the recruitment embargo] but I simply can’t sustain the level or service that we are providing without new members coming in,” he said.
“The areas that will suffer are opening hours in rural stations and charities fundraisers that gardaí currently assist. I hope it doesn’t come to this but I have to be frank. We have done well up to now but there will be a serious implication on services if this situation does not change. If I don’t start getting more manpower, it may not be the Government who makes the decision about closing more stations [in Clare], I may have to do it myself because of a shortage of manpower.”
Speaking at last nights meeting of the Joint Policing Committee (JPC), former Mayor of Clare Pat Hayes (FF), called for an end to the recruitment embargo which has been in force for the last four years. “Maybe you can’t say it because of political reasons, but I can say it. There has to be a lifting of the embargo on recruitment for gardaí,” he said
Meanwhile, Chief Supt Kerin threatened to walk out of last night’s meeting if a motion of no confidence in Justice Minister Alan Shatter (FG) was allowed to be tabled.
The motion was suggested by Cllr Cathal Crowe (FG) but was ruled out-of-order by the chair of the JPC, Cllr Joe Arkins (FG).
As Cllr Crowe debated this ruling with Cllr Arkins, Garda Kerin intervened and threatened to walk out of the meeting if the motion was allowed to go forward.