‘Massive improvement’ in garda presence in Offaly town since ‘shocking’ local tragedies

There has been a “massive improvement” in the garda presence in Edenderry in the aftermath of two local tragedies, a council meeting has heard.

Fine Gael councillor Noel Cribbin made the observation at the April meeting of the Edenderry Municipal District.

Cllr Cribbin said: “We had the Chief Superintendent out here a number of months ago with issues in the town and the shocking sequence of events here in Edenderry with not one fire but two.

“I’d just like to complement what has happened since those shocking tragedies and the gardaí and the work that has gone on.”

He went on to say that the change is noticeable and that local businesses are very grateful for it.

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Cllr Cribbin highlighted the garda presence outside the post office, particularly on Monday and Wednesday mornings.

He continued: “There’s after being several house raids. There’s been a lot of tidying up of whatever drug issues that were going on here in Edenderry.

“The gardaí have done a tremendous job. They’ve also been taking some of the scooters off [the road], some of those that were flying up and down the town.”

Cllr Cribbin concluded by complimenting the gardaí for listening to what the councillors had to say at the meeting and for following it up with action.

“So the things we raised here with them, they have followed up on them, 100 per cent.

“There was nobody more critical here than I was the day they were here but I’d like to acknowledge and thank them that they did listen to what we said.

“There is action going on and there are people getting caught for what they’re doing and for bringing such a bad name on Edenderry.”

These sentiments were echoed by Independent Ireland councillor Fergus McDonnell, who has also noticed an improvement in the garda presence.

“I’d like to agree with Cllr Cribbin. I think everybody in the town has noticed and remarked on the garda presence, the massive improvement in the garda presence in Edenderry.

“It’s not just during the daytime, it’s around the clock because there has been successful searches and confiscation of illicit drugs and I’ll leave that for the judiciary to deal with in their own way.

“But certainly, there’s so many people that are delighted to see that there’s a huge improvement.”

At the end of the discussion, the Cathaoirleach, Cllr Liam Quinn, suggested that Offaly County Council writes to the gardaí to acknowledge the improvements that have been made.