Concerns Raised Over Community Gardaí Shortage In Wicklow

Social Democrats TD for Wicklow, Jennifer Whitmore, has raised serious concerns about the shortage of Community Gardaí in Wicklow.

Speaking in the Dáil last shecalled on the Minister for Justice and the Garda Commissioner to address the backlog in Garda vetting and to prioritise community safety.

"Community Gardaí play a crucial role in crime prevention through the relationships that they build in the community and the partnerships they develop with the local groups. This proactive approach to policing also allows them to identify issues before they arise.

Strong relationships and community trust is essential for reducing both the fear of crime and crime itself. The visibility of Gardaí on the streets and their engagement with local residents contribute significantly to a feeling of safety," Ms. Whitmore explained.

"However, there simply aren’t enough of them. There are only nine Community Gardaí in the entirety of Wicklow, for 156,000 people – that’s one Community Garda per 17,000 people.

They’re under resourced, they’re under-staffed, and they’re being stretched too thinly, and that’s not just a Community Gardaí problem, it’s a problem across an Garda Síochána,” Ms Whitmore continued.

"Currently, there is only one Garda in Avoca working on his own, which raises concerns about the ability to respond to the increasing criminal activities effectively. No staff member should ever be working solo in a station, as it places immense pressure on them," Ms. Whitmore added.

“Another major issue is the current backlog in Garda recruitment vetting which is severely affecting community safety. Qualified candidates are stuck in the vetting process, preventing them from beginning their training. Some candidates are waiting up to a year for their vetting to go through, and some are dropping out during this wait.

This bureaucratic delay contributes to a gap in Garda resources, leaving communities vulnerable and understaffed," Ms. Whitmore said.

"Last year, there was a 10% increase in burglaries, and there has been a spike in vehicle thefts and property crimes. In areas like Rathnew, vehicle thefts have increased, with cars, scooters, and motorbikes becoming prime targets for criminals.

These incidents highlight the growing concerns about crime levels and the perceived lack of adequate policing in the area" Ms Whitmore commented.

"Rural areas are seeing an increase in farm-related crimes, including the theft of farm machinery, livestock, and tools. Over 50% of farmers have been victims of theft and nearly 1/3 of them have not reported this theft to the Gardaí.

There are also huge issues in some rural communities with drug-related crime and drug trafficking. Increased rural burglaries, particularly in isolated homes and farms, leave property owners feeling increasingly unsafe, with limited Garda response times to these rural areas," Ms Whitmore noted.

"The current situation is unacceptable and must be rectified. I am calling on the Government to prioritise Garda recruitment and to ensure that our communities are adequately staffed and protected," Ms. Whitmore concluded.