Clare’s Minister of State claims he was acting on an “original indication” when he claimed 15 new Gardaí would be stationed in Shannon.
An Garda Síochána has confirmed that of the 154 new graduates from Templemore, just seven will be based in the industrial town.
Long before the merging of Clare and Tipperary’s Garda divisions two years ago, the allocation of Garda resources was a hotly-debated issue in this county.
Coming amid a spate of anti-social behaviour in Shannon last month, the news from Tulla Fianna Fáil Minister of State Timmy Dooley of 15 additional Gardaí in the town was broadly welcomed.
Disappointment has been expressed in recent days however, as An Garda Síochána has confirmed that just seven new Gardaí will be stationed in Shannon from September 9th, with six going to Ennis and three others going elsewhere in the county.
Deputy Dooley says he initially believed the number going to Shannon to be higher.
There are currently 54 Gardaí, seven sergeants and one inspector stationed in Shannon, bringing its total number to 62.
Calls for a greater Garda presence in Shannon have been made of late due to a number of demonstrations against the US military’s use of Shannon Airport at the facility, as well as several violent and criminal incidents elsewhere in the town.
Shannon Fine Gael Councillor Tony Mulcahy believes there’s a fear of the town being made out to be a “wasteland” and insists juvenile delinquency must be effectively tackled.
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