Roscrea needs "high visibility policing" with new Gardaí and return to 24-hour Garda Station

News that Roscrea Garda Station's roster will increase with a new member in the coming weeks has reassured the people of the town, as the Chair of the Tipperary Joint Policing Committee says Roscrea needs "high visibility policing".

The Roscrea Station on Main Street will receive a new member in the coming weeks, after local representatives repeatedly appealed to increase the manpower to help deal with burgeoning anti-social behaviour and drugs concerns.

Concerns have also been building in Roscrea that the Garda Station is often closed to the public at night, with Dáil representatives telling this newspaper that the return of a 24-hour policing service in the town is a top priority.

"We have been constantly reminding Chief Superintendent Derek Smart at our Joint Policing Committee (JPC) meetings that manpower and resources in both Roscrea and Templemore needs to be increased and with the number of recruits coming out of the Garda College we asked that when the next batch come out we hope the area will receive new members", Councillor Noel Coonan (FG) Cathaoirleach of the Tipperary JPC told the Tribune. 

"The Chief Superintendent reassured us at the last JPC meeting that they are coming and now it has been confirmed - but this is only the top of the iceberg of what we are asking for.

"We will continue to lobby for more resources for Roscrea - where we see at every JPC meeting when we get the crime statistics there are issues with drugs and theft in the area", Cllr. Coonan said.

"We are also concerned that the station is closed at night and we will continue to ask the Chief Superintendent to remedy this. We want to see the Gardaí on the streets of Roscrea - the town needs high visibility policing and a stitch in time saves nine", Cllr Coonan said.

Tipperary Independent Dáil Deputy, Michael Lowry also welcomed the news that Roscrea is to benefit from an additional Garda based in the town, but said more upgrading is required to ensure that needs are met in the third largest town in North Tipperary.

Deputy Lowry was critical of the Garda Functions and Operation Bill last year, saying that it did not specify a plan to address the Garda Operating Model in rural areas.

"Garda Stations right across rural Ireland have been closed or downgraded in recent years to the detriment of the communities they serve. These are not just Stations in our small rural villages, they are Stations that serve busy rural towns where the permanent presence of Gardai is essential", he told the Tribune.

"While news that the services of an additional Garda for Roscrea is welcome, what is even more crucial is the return of a 24-hour service at the Roscrea Station", Deputy Lowry said.