Minister McEntee says Limerick will get 'its fair share' of gardaí to increase presence in city

THE Minister for Justice says she is confident that Limerick will ‘get its fair share’ of new gardaí and resources, amid calls for increased garda presence in the city.

Minister Helen McEntee was speaking in Moyross this Wednesday, where she addressed garda numbers and resources in Limerick. 

Ms McEntee said she and her department have been working to increase the number of gardaí nationwide and that she has ‘no doubt’ Limerick will be allocated new recruits and resources. 

“We have been working to increase the number of gardaí right across the country and we are now seeing more and more recruits coming into Templemore, so the more that go into the college the more that will come out. 

“The garda commissioner will decide where those resources go but I have no doubt that Limerick will get its fair share.”

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In terms of body cams, the Minister said they will be phased in from this week and that Limerick gardaí have been chosen to wear them.

“The body-worn cameras legislation that I enacted in December will see the first of them be worn by gardaí this week and indeed, Limerick has been chosen as a pilot area for those. 

“Over the summer they will start to be rolled out in Limerick and that pilot programme will be completed by September, which will help assist gardaí in their work.

“But also, we have a number of programmes underway, like the one here in Moyross, where we are investing directly in the community and trying to get to the root cause of antisocial behaviour and crime.”

Ms McEntee added that these community programmes, coupled with that of gardaí working closely with the HSE and addiction services, means that young and vulnerable people will be offered ‘alternative paths’ to ‘take them off the streets’ and be  supported.