Extra garda patrols for festive season in Limerick town

GARDAÍ in Rathkeale have confirmed that they will be carrying out extra patrols in the Limerick community in the run up to Christmas.

At the Joint Policing Committee meeting of the Adare/Rathkeale district this Tuesday, Superintendent Ollie Kennedy announced that a minimum of four extra gardaí would be patrolling the streets from now until January 7.

The targeted operation will be aimed at combating criminality and violence in Rathkeale and the surrounding area.

Supt Kennedy said that this operation will “ensure law and order is maintained” in the area over the festive period.

The Armed Support Unit will be in the locality throughout the operation and their visibility will increase as the weeks go on.

They will be supplemented by detective units from the local area as well as the divisional drugs unit.

The Road Policing Unit will also be involved and will be holding checkpoints in the area.

Different units will be targeting specific areas and issues, confirmed Supt Kennedy.

“I am very confident that this operation will make a significant impact on the ground and will ensure people are safe and get to enjoy the Christmas period and beyond.”

Cathaoirleach of the JPC for Adare/Rathkeale, Councillor Adam Teskey asked for the patrols to be visible from 11pm to 1am specifically as he said the “majority of the issues happen during the dark hours.”

Cllr Teskey also asked for there to be a strong presence from the gardaí in Rathkeale, not just during the Christmas season but throughout the whole year.

Supt Kennedy assured councillors that he is “constantly” having discussions with the chief superintendent regarding more resources for Limerick.

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He also alluded to the possibility that following the riots in Dublin, resources being sent to other areas of the country, including Limerick, may be affected.

Councillor John O’Donoghue said that other districts cannot be left out of policing plans over the Christmas period.

“While families come together at Christmas and it causes great joy, it can also cause hassle for families who are in the town 365 days a year.

“When we put all our efforts into one area, we are depleting resources from every other district.

“We cannot forget our ordinary taxpayers and homeowners in the other areas of the district.

“We want to keep every citizen in Limerick safe.”

Cllr Teskey confirmed to the Limerick Leader that approximately €200,000 has been allocated to the town in the last 12 months from Limerick City and County Council to deal with issues of speeding, litter and enforcement.

“That money has gone towards extra personnel and other measures. They have added more people to the cleaning of the area over Christmas with a focus on the main approach roads as well as the graveyard.

“The cleaning up of public housing estates and public areas throughout the town has been ramped up as well for the Christmas season.

“There are also additional traffic calming measures including speed ramps and a full-time enforcement officer is now based in Rathkeale.”