Garda recruitment and safety top concerns for the Tipperary JPC

Several members of the Tipperary Joint Policing Committee expressed their concerns about recent reports of assaults on members of An Garda Síochána.

Councillor Noel Coonan said it was unfortunate that it was happening while Cllr Pat English asked if there was anything they could do at the council. Other members also expressed their support for garda members nationwide.

However, Chief Superintendent Colm O’Sullivan said this is not an issue that only affects the gardaí but all emergency services.

He also said he believes there is “huge respect for An Garda Síochána across the country.”

Cllr Ger Darcy said:

“It is unbelievable that there is an element out there who thinks it's okay to attack our gardaí, ambulance and fire services.”

RECRUITMENT

Also of concern was the falling of gardaí numbers.

Cllr David Dunne asked about gardaí retirements and whether those members are being replaced.

Chief Superintendent O’Sullivan said they are recruiting though perhaps not at the level they would like.

He said the last large-scale recruitment campaign was in the 1980s, and those members have retired or are set to by 2024.
The Chief Superintendent said people are not applying to the guards like they used to and that numbers are set by the Oireachtas.

He said some recruits fail medical and fitness tests while the pandemic has set their efforts behind.

“It’s not that the guards decided not to take people in,” said Chief Supt O’Sullivan.

He said approximately 90 recruits entered the Garda Training College in Templemore, and another group of around 121 set to start around shortly.

The Chief Superintendent said it is his hope retiring members can be replaced but do not have a “crystal ball.”

“I can’t answer questions about how many people we will get,” said Chief Supt O’Sullivan.

Thurles Superintendent Edmund Golden said the gardaí needed to ‘police smarter,’ and manage the challenges recruitment posed. However, TD Mattie McGrath disagreed.

He said the gardaí needed support and better conditions.

“You can’t manage what you don’t have,” said Mr McGrath.

FOOTSTEPS

Chief Superintendent O’Sullivan said he hoped this would change.

He said careers in An Garda Siochana are ‘hugely rewarding,’ their people are fantastic, and there was a ‘great community spirit’ in the force.

“We would encourage people to join and follow in our footsteps,” said Chief Supt O’Sullivan.

Supt Golden said there are ‘fantastic opportunities’ in the guards.