Louth TD accuses Drew Harris of being ‘out of touch with reality’ as garda numbers fall

Deputy Munster questioned Commissioner Harris at the PAC on the importance of community policing, and queried why Drogheda’s Garda numbers are falling, given the recent experience the town has had with gangland feuding.

Deputy Munster began by asking Commissioner Harris about the importance of community policing, and he agreed that engaging with the community represents best practice, describing an Garda Síochána as ‘an exemplar’ in this area.

“I followed this up with a question about the falling numbers of community policing personnel in Drogheda, several years on from the feud. Commissioner Harris confirmed that the numbers have stayed static for the last six or seven years nationwide,” Deputy Munster said.

“I raised the fact that in December 2021, there were 152 Gardaí in the Drogheda/Dunleer/Clogherhead area, and in May 2023 there was 146, or six fewer”. She said she saw a Garda submission last year said that “on a daily basis it is now accepted that there will not be a Garda on the beat” further illustrates this point.

“Commissioner Harris said that he was “unaware of that”, which is a matter of enormous concern when it comes to dealing with gang-related crimes and ensuring that the situation doesn’t escalate further,” she added.

“How is this best practice in Community Policing? The people of Drogheda went through hell – with murders, shootings, attacks on houses, the works. That Garda numbers would have fallen a couple of years later defies logic.

She mentioned to the Commissioner about an increase in violence in Drogheda. “We’re now back to hearing about violence, open drug-dealing and intimidation again,” said the Sinn Fein TD. “There have clearly been no lessons learned here. Commissioner Harris needs to tune in to what’s happening in Drogheda and ensure that the town is treated fairly in terms of Garda resourcing and personnel.”

Commissioner Harris agreed to revert to Deputy Munster on this matter.