Appeal to Justice Minister for more Roscrea Gardaí

SHORTFALLS in Garda manpower in Roscrea need to be addressed urgently according to local representatives, after an alarming spate of crime in the town in recent days.

Two Gardaí were injured after their patrol car was rammed by a stolen vehicle in the town. The two male members of the force were injured when they approached the stolen car at a checkpoint on the Birr Road (N62) at approximately 10:30pm on Saturday night, October 28.

The Gardaí required medical attention after the incident, where the suspects fled the scene at high speed as the Gardaí approached their vehicle. A man was apprehended and detained at Nenagh Garda Station and the matter is currently before the courts.

In a separate incident, Gardaí are investigating a brawl which erupted on Market Square in Roscrea at the weekend. The incident was filmed and shared on social media and caused distress for local people, who have contacted elected members of the local authority pleading for more Garda resources in the town - particularly at weekends after a string of similar incidents.

Incidents of thefts from local businesses and residences have also mushroomed in recent months according to local elected representatives and concerns are building that the town's population has grown considerably, with several facilities accommodating international protection applicants located in the town.

Roscrea based Independent Councillor and member of the Lowry Team, Shane Lee, told the Tribune he has received numerous calls from local people very concerned for their own and their family's safety in Roscrea.

Cllr. Lee's car was stolen and became the vehicle involved in the incident where Gardaí were injured when the checkpoint they were operating was rammed. He is also a member of the Tipperary Joint Policing Committee (JPC) and says he is acutely aware of how overstretched Garda resources are in the heritage town.

He has contacted the Department of Justice and appealed to the Minister to pay attention to the escalating situation in Roscrea and the wider Midlands region.

He said he has repeatedly flagged the matter at JPC meetings and points out the situation is stressful for local Gardaí currently stationed in Roscrea.

He has highlighted the situation with the Chief Superintendent for the Tipperary and Clare Garda District and has taken up the matter with Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, and the Minister for Integration and Youth, Roderick O’Gorman.

Essential public services are also overburdened, he said, pointing to the arrival of almost 100 Ukrainian international protection applicants who arrived in Roscrea at their accommodation in the repurposed Sacred Heart Convent Secondary School in recent days. The facility will accommodate 400 asylum seekers when it reaches full capacity later this year.

"There needs to be fairness and balance for the people of Roscrea," he said, adding that at least six additional Gardaí are required to provide adequate policing for the town and surrounding areas.

He stressed he is not critical of the Gardaí in Roscrea: "I’m fully supportive of the work they do, but the numbers and morale in Roscrea Garda station are at an all-time low.

“Subsequent to what happened on Saturday evening that leaves two more Gardaí now that we’re short in Roscrea. Unfortunately, our Gardaí are like the Fire Brigade now  - they only react to calls", he said.

"They’re just inundated with all the stuff that’s going on,” he said.

He has called for an emergency meeting with the Minister for Justice and the Minister for Integration "because its just not good enough what’s going on in Roscrea", he said. 

"The people of the town are very distressed and they’re sick to their back teeth because of what they’re witnessing and people are genuinely fearful about the future”, Cllr. Lee said.