Sharon Keogan warns of rising crime, urges Garda recruitment
Sharon Keogan congratulated Paul Brady on winning his sixth World Handball Singles Championship and warned of an alarming rise in crime, urging long-term plans for Angadha Siakána and increased Garda recruitment. She said communities such as Ballahadrina are living in fear and called on the minister to act ahead of the election this month.
Sporting accolade
Brady was praised as a remarkable athlete after securing his sixth World Handball Singles Championship at Croke Park. Keogan noted he is her first cousin, the brother of Councillor Philip Brady, and highlighted the achievement as especially notable because the championship runs every three years and he is 45 years of age.
Rising crime and community fear
Keogan raised concern about an alarming rise in crime and the distressingly low morale among Gardaí, saying violent incidents have surged and left towns like Ballahadrina fearful. She said families and elderly residents are afraid to walk the streets and described the situation as not unique to one area but reflective of wider national trends under the current government and the Department of Justice over the last five years.
Angadha Siakána resourcing and numbers
Keogan criticised working conditions and recruitment strategies for Gardaí Siakána, citing a decline in strength from 14,750 Gardaí in the first half of 2020. She referenced Commissioner Drew Harris's view that numbers need to reach 15,000 in the short term and 18,000 to meet modern policing demands caused by population growth, and said recent recruitment drives have not met those targets.
Calls to action ahead of the election
Keogan called on the minister to set out long-term plans for Angadha Siakána and urged the electorate to raise policing and community safety on the doorsteps in the coming weeks. She said the next government must address safety and ensure Gardaí have the resources, training and support to protect communities effectively.
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Leader, I want to get up first of all to congratulate Paul Brady, who happens to be my first cousin, and he's a brother of Councillor Philip Brady, and he won his sixth World Handball Singles Championship this weekend in Croke Park. It's a remarkable achievement because this World Championship comes up every three years. He has been unbeatable for that length of time, and it's remarkable because he's 45 years of age. So he's one of Ireland's probably greatest athletes and sports people, and we really should acknowledge his achievements. So the other issue I want to raise this morning is the alarming rise in crime and distressing low morale among our Gardaí should be central to the public as we head into the election this month. And I call on the Minister to address the long-term plans in respect to the future of Angadha Siakána. The recent surge in violent incidents, particularly in towns like Ballahadrina, has left our communities in fear and our law enforcement stretched thin. In Ballahadrina, we have witnessed a disturbing increase in violent crimes that have shaken the very foundation of that community. Families and elderly residents are afraid to walk the streets of their hometown. This is not a unique story in Ireland. This is sadly a legacy of this government, and particularly of the Department of Justice, and of this government for the last five years. Ireland is measurably less safe. Working conditions and recruitment strategies are failing on Gardaí Siakána. Over the last few years, we've seen a worrying decline in the strength of the Gardaí. In the first half of 2020, there were 14,750 Gardaí. Commissioner Drew Harris has stated numbers need to reach 15,000 in the short term, with the view of having a force of 18,000 to meet the modern policing demands caused by Ireland's population growth. Despite recent recruitment drives, Ireland is nowhere near meeting this target. So the brave men and women of Angadha Siakána have put their lives on the line every day to protect us, yet they are unsupported and undervalued by this government. It is our duty to ensure that they have the resources, training and support they need to perform their duties effectively and safely. So I call on the electorate to highlight this concern on the doorsteps in the coming weeks. Our future government needs to address this issue of the safety of our communities and citizens. Thank you.
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