Sinn Féin TD Blasts Government Failure In Boosting Garda Ranks Amid Spike In Local Crime

Rural communities are suffering ongoing robberies and break-ins in South Wicklow according to a local TD

Rural communities are experiencing safety issues with robberies and break-ins in the south Wicklow area according to a local TD

There were 4,627 offences recorded by Wicklow garda stations last year.

It comes in the wake of the announcement of the closure of twelve Garda Stations in the state including Avoca Garda Station.

Sinn Fein say the issue of recruitment and retention is often put forward as to reason why.

However Wicklow-Wexford Sinn Féin TD Fionntán O'Suilleabhan isn't convinced:

''There were 4,627 offences recorded by Wicklow garda stations last year.

We know that rural communities are experiencing safety issues as we witnessed with the ongoing spate of robberies and break-ins in the Barniskey/Redcross area, and earlier this year it was revealed that 12 Garda Stations in the state lost their assigned garda in 2024, including Avoca Garda Station.

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have failed to keep our communities safe.''

Deputy O'Suilleabhan also isn't buying into the argument that there are too few available or interested in becoming gardaí..

''We are constantly told that there is a recruitment and retention problem.

However, only last month I raised the case of an exemplary young Arklow citizen  (someone I know personally, and who received all his education as Gaeilge!) face to face with the Garda Commissioner Drew Harris when he was called before the Oireachtas Justice Committee. I asked him how at a time of crisis in terms of garda recruitment was this young man not called for training having dreamed of becoming a garda and serving his country and had applied to do so. I pointed out that he was now planning on emigrating to Canada. This would be Irelands loss!

This state needs to take a damned hard look at itself!”