Under resourcing of gardaí is being felt in communities across Tipperary, says councillor

Labour Councillor Cllr Michael 'Chicken' Brennan has sharply criticised Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael's record on ensuring sufficient Garda manpower and resources in South Tipperary and called for urgent action to restore visible community policing and rebuild trust in An Garda Síochána. 

The Fethard based councillor has warned that communities across Tipperary South are being left behind as Garda resources fail to keep pace with demand.

He called on the coalition partners to support a Labour Party motion being tabled in the Dáil today (Wednesday, March 25) by Tipperary North Labour TD Alan Kelly that will call on the Goverment to deliver a funded plan to recruit and retain gardaí. 

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“People in Tipperary South can see the reality on the ground. Garda visibility has dropped and response times are under pressure. This is not acceptable,” said Cllr Brennan. 

"Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have failed to properly resource An Garda Siochána and the impact is being felt in towns and neighbourhoods right across Tipperary South.

“We now have fewer Gardaí per person than we did just a few years ago. At the same time, our population has grown. That means fewer Gardaí covering more people, more communities and more complex policing demands.

"In Tipperary South, that translates into less visible policing, less community engagement and more pressure on an already stretched force. That is why Labour is bringing this motion to the Dáil this week, to call for Government to take action," continued the Killenaule man.  

“Community Gardaí play a vital role in building relationships, preventing crime and supporting vulnerable people. Yet their numbers are falling. That weakens the connection between gardaí and the people they serve.

In Tipperary South, people want to see Gardaí on the streets, in schools and in their communities, not tied up in administrative backlogs or pulled away due to shortages.

“Morale within the force is also a serious concern. Gardaí who serve our communities deserve proper support, fair conditions and respect.

Instead, many feel undervalued and overworked. That has real consequences for recruitment and retention. If we cannot attract and keep gardaí, communities in Tipperary South will continue to lose out.

“There are also serious concerns about how internal investigations have been handled and the impact this has had on garda members. That must be addressed through a full and transparent inquiry. Gardaí deserve fairness and due process, and the public deserves confidence in how the force operates.

“Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael promised thousands of new recruits but have failed to deliver. Training numbers remain too low, and there is no clear plan to reach the levels needed.

Meanwhile, equipment and fleet issues continue, with outdated vehicles and inadequate resources affecting frontline policing in places like Tipperary South.

“People in Tipperary South deserve a modern, properly resourced police service that is rooted in the community and capable of keeping people safe. That means investing in recruitment, improving conditions, restoring community policing and ensuring gardaí have the tools they need to do their job effectively.

“I’m calling on Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to support Labour’s Dáil motion and urgently deliver a funded plan to recruit and retain Gardaí, restore community policing in Tipperary South and ensure every community has the visible, effective policing it deserves.”

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