Concerns have been raised in Clare that a new Garda Motorway Patrol Unit will be hindered by a lack of local knowledge.
It follows reports that more than 200 high-powered vehicles will be bought to tackle the rural crime wave.
260 high-powered and highly visable vehicles will be bought as part of a 5.3 million euro investment aimed at tackling the rural crime wave.
The unit will be tasked with targeting criminal gangs suspected of using the country's motorway network to carry out burglaries and other crimes, while a number of vehicles will also be provided to rural communities.
The Public Expenditure Minister believes that overhauling the Garda fleet will allow the force to both deter and intercept gangs targeting rural areas.
Brendan Howlin says the spend is necessary to tackle one of the biggest issues facing the country.
Concerns have been raised in Clare however, that the new unit will be hindered by a lack of local knowledge.
Councillor Alan O'Callaghan, who is a member of Clare's Joint Policing Committee is welcoming any measures aimed at tackling crime.
But the Sixmilebridge Councillor insists that local Gardaí with better knowledge of the local roads network would be better equipped to deal with criminal activity here.
Councillor O'Callaghan says more measures are needed to wipe out crime.
Meanwhile, the Garda Commissioner is being called on to appoint a Superintendent in Gort.
It follows a break-in to Gort Mart over the weekend where CCTV cameras were destroyed, windows were broken and phone lines were cut, while rubbish was strewn along the corridors of the building.
Independent Councillor Michael Fahy has written to the Justice Minister Francis Fitzgerald, calling for a Superintendent to be appointed in Gort – he says the entire community is devastated by the break-in