Limerick Chamber champions visible policing for city centre in meeting with Minister for Justice

LIMERICK Chamber has called for more visible policing and outlined their hopes for the future of the city when meeting Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan.

Meeting Minister O’Callaghan at Chamber offices on O’Connell Street on Monday, May 26, was Chamber president, Mairead Connolly, vice president, Maria Gleeson, CEO, Michelle Gallagher and chief economist and director of policy, Sean Golden.

Also in attendance were representatives from the local retail and hospitality sectors, as well as councillors and TDs.

Central to the discussion was a call for redeploying a number of gardaí currently stationed at Limerick Courthouse on Mulgrave St. Limerick Chamber proposed adopting a private security model, which has proven effective at Dublin’s Criminal Courts of Justice.

This measure would free up gardaí for on-street patrols, boosting visibility and reassurance for businesses and residents alike in the city centre.

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Mairead Connolly said: “The evolving landscape of urban challenges, particularly those arising from concentrations of social service provision and the prevalence of organised crime-related concerns, requires a collaborative, multi-departmental response to deliver safer outcomes for the entire community.

“We also want to acknowledge the dedication of the local gardaí, who continue to serve our community with professionalism and resolve. Their presence and unwavering commitment are essential as we strive to build a safer, more vibrant Limerick.”

While acknowledging the success of certain targeted initiatives such as CAST (Community Access Support Team) for those experiencing a mental health crisis or situational trauma, Limerick Chamber also pressed for a better balance of resources, ensuring that street-level visibility keeps pace with community needs, especially in urban areas facing challenges related to organised crime.

Minister O'Callaghan said about CAST: “I got an excellent presentation from An Garda Síochána for the CAST project in Limerick,” at Henry St garda station.

The need for a dedicated city-specific community engagement van for Limerick also featured. Limerick Chamber highlighted the van’s positive impact and stressed that, even with a small team, having one assigned solely to Limerick would significantly strengthen community policing efforts.

Looking ahead to Budget 2026, Limerick Chamber advocated for stronger investment in garda resources, with an emphasis on sustained city-centre presence and flexible policing measures that reflect the realities of a growing urban hub.

Throughout the meeting, Limerick Chamber underscored its commitment to driving both local economic growth and positive social impact by securing a robust and responsive safety framework. 

Commenting after the meeting, Mairead Connolly added: “Safety is the foundation of a thriving city. We’re proud to lead on this issue and engage constructively with Minister O’Callaghan and government to secure practical, immediate improvements for Limerick. Limerick Chamber is committed to championing both economic growth and social wellbeing for our city.”