Major changes to Tipperary Garda Division

New changes to the Clare and Tipperary Garda Division came into effect from Sunday (August 27) - a move which creates a vast new policing district, stretching from Roscrea and Thurles in the east, to Kilkee and Ballyvaughan on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean.

Local Councillors were informed of the decision to enact the changes last week in a letter from the Chief Superintendent of the new District, Colm O’Sullivan, which revealed An Garda Síochána is currently undergoing a major change in how the force operates on the ground in Tipperary.

As part of the new system, the former Garda Divisions of Clare and Tipperary are now amalgamated under one Chief Superintendent, with the Divisional Office for the area based at Ennis Garda Station.

Smaller Garda Districts will also be amalgamated to create new Community Engagement Functional Areas, alongside the establishment of a new Crime Functional Area, which will be based in Nenagh Garda Station.

On Sunday the phased implementation of An Garda Síochána’s Operating Model was completed. This process was a key element of the new system, which has been titled 'A Policing Service For our Future'.

Chief Superintendent Colm O’Sullivan said the new Operating Model has restructured Divisions which aims to put community policing at the centre of the new Tipperary and Clare Division. 

Each Division will comprise of four Functional Areas: Community Engagement, Crime, Performance Assurance and Business Services.

The Clare/Tipperary Division has already commenced implementation of the Business Services and Performance Assurance Functional Areas, which has reduced the amount of administrative activities by operational members - freeing up time for on the ground policing across local communities..

Each Functional Area is led by a superintendent, with the exception of the Business Services Functional Area which is led by an assistant principal and under the new operating model, all Garda stations and former Districts are aligned to a Community Engagement Functional Area covering the following areas:

Tipperary Central Community Engagement: Thurles, Templemore, Killenaule, Holycross, Ballingarry, Littleton, Borrisoleigh, Moyne, Shevry, Templederry, Templetuohy, Tipperary Town, Bansha, Cappawhite, Emly and Golden.

East Clare-Tipp North Community Engagement: Nenagh, Roscrea, Newport, Borrisokane, Toomevara, Cloughjordan, Dolla, Lorrha, Moneygall, Portroe, Killaloe and Scarriff.

Community Engagement Tipperary South: Clonmel, Carrick-on-Suir, Fethard, Kilsheelan, Mullinahone, Cahir, Cashel, Ardfinnan, Clogheen and Ballyporeen.

Community Engagement Clare: Ennis, Shannon, Tulla, Crusheen, Sixmilebridge, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Kilrush, Kilkee, Kilmihil, Kildysart, Ennistymon, Miltown Malbay, Corofin, Lisdoonvarna and Ballyvaughan.