Tranfser of 16 gardai out of cavanmonaghan very disappointing

The transfer of 16 gardai from the Cavan-Monaghan region to Dundalk in the wake of the Garda Anthony Golden murder has been described as “very disappointing” by a local TD.
Fianna Fáil’s Brendan Smith told The Anglo Celt that he is very disappointed with the transfer of Gardaí from an already under-resourced Cavan-Monaghan Garda Division.
“I fully appreciate that Co Louth needs more Garda personnel following the horrific murder of two Gardaí - Kilnaleck-born Det Gda Adrian Donohoe and Gda Anthony Golden - in that area over the past three years and other criminal activity,” he said.
“Cavan-Monaghan is also a Border region and unfortunately with a sizeable increase in crime over the past few years, the division need more gardaí instead of having some of their personnel transferred to an adjoining division.
“Through Parliamentary Questions in Dáil Éireann last June it was disclosed to me that Garda numbers has been reduced by 22% in this division and I have called on the Minister for Justice and the Garda Commissioner to allocate more gardaí to Cavan and Monaghan and this matter needs to be dealt with urgently.
“There is a genuine fear throughout urban and rural communities about the escalation in crime and An Garda Síochana needs more resources to deal with these very important issues. The Gardaí are doing a good job in difficult circumstances and they also need the full support of local communities.'
The Garda Press office said: “The Commissioner has directed an additional 25 Uniform Gardai to Dundalk Garda Station to support frontline policing and uniform patrols.
“In addition a targeted intelligence led investigation has been established into serious crime in the area which includes resources attached to the National Units.”