Serious concern has been raised over the prospect of amalgamating the Clare and Galway Garda Divisions.
Speaking at an Oireachtas Committee, the Garda Commissioner has confirmed that a new Chief Superintendent is soon to be appointed in Clare, but he declined to rule out combining the two Garda divisions in the future.
Clare FM’s Gavin Grace reports:
Commissioner Drew Harris has indicated that the future of the Clare Garda Division, and whether it will be amalgamated with Galway, could become clearer later this year.
At an Oireachtas Committee meeting yesterday, he was asked to rule out the prospect that policing here could be directed from Galway, but stated he couldn’t give any such assurances.
Instead, the Commissioner said that a wider overhaul, which is currently in train, will give Garda Divisions more powers and suggested that this could include other structural changes.
Clare’s Senator Martin Conway insists that if an amalgamation is being considered, there’s an onus and responsibility on Garda Management to consult with various stakeholders in Clare including the county’s Joint Policing Committee.
Senator Conway, who’s his party’s Justice Spokesperson in the Seanad says a move like this would be concerning.
During yesterday’s hearing, the Commissioner also stated that a new Chief Superintendent will be appointed in Clare in the near future.
That’s been welcomed broadly – the position has been vacant since the start of the year.
But former Chairman of the Clare Joint Policing Committee, Sixmilebridge Councillor PJ Ryan fears any an amalgamation with Galway wouldn’t be good for Clare.
