Waterford’s Sinn Féin elected representatives have co-signed a letter to the Garda Commissioner and the Minister for Justice calling for a rethink on proposed Garda reform plans that will be detrimental to policing and public safety in Co. Waterford.
David Cullinane and Councillors Breda Brennan, Declan Clune, Jim Griffin, John Hearne and Conor McGuinness added their names to the letter.
Here is the text of the letter and the list of signatories:
We the Undersigned write to express our deep fears about possible proposed structural changes proposed within An Garda Siochána. We are not against reform and we wish the Commissioner and the Minister well in bringing about necessary changes to achieve better and more effective policing across the state.
However, we note that the proposal is to merge two existing divisions into one, namely Waterford City and County and Kilkenny/Carlow and the abolition of geographically based district Superintendents.
Our primary concern is the location of the headquarters of any new division. The Commissioner will be aware that the current National Planning Framework recognizes Waterford City as a Regional City acting as the Capital of the Southeast. It is expected that the population of Waterford City will grow by 50% in the next twenty years.This level of growth requires careful planning and resourcing.
In addition we note analysis of recent years crime statistics which demonstrate significant caseload in the urban centres of Waterford. Additionally, Waterford has 4 – 5 days of court sittings each week and both the regional hospital and regional pathology laboratory are based in Waterford, as is the airport and coastguard search and rescue helicopter – all significant and allied services supporting present Waterford and regional policing activity
Waterford Garda Station is the 5th busiest in the state and this statistic should be given consideration when a decision is been taken in relation to the location of the headquarters in the proposed new division.
Recognizing Waterford City as a Regional City is a must for each Government Department and State Agency. The volume of crime, population trends and current spatial strategy all dictate that the headquarters and resource management of any new policing district would be in Waterford.
While we acknowledge this is an Independent Process we write to inform you of our desire to protect the status of an Garda Siochana by endorsing regional policing decision making is vested around the future growth of Waterford City and within its environs. We note that Galway and Limerick Counties will retain their stand-alone divisions. It is regrettable Waterford does not. However, it is hugely important that the Garda Headquarters is not lost to the City and County
A delegation of Oireachtas members and councillors are prepared to meet with you both to discuss our views in more detail.
We wish you well in your work.
Signed
David Cullinane TD
Mary Butler TD
Minister of State John Halligan TD
Senator Paudie Coffey
Mayor of Waterford City and County Cllr John Pratt
Mayor of Waterford Metropolitan District Cllr Breda Brennan
Cllr Declan Clune Chair of the Joint Policing Committee
Cllr Pat Fitzgerald
Cllr Jim Griffin
Cllr Conor McGuinness
Cllr John Hearne
Cllr Joe Conway
Cllr Seamus O Donnell
Cllr Joe Kelly
Cllr Davy Daniels
Cllr Donal Barry
Cllr Matt Shanahan
Cllr Marc O Ceathasaigh
Cllr Jodie Power
Cllr Thomas Phelan
Cllr Ger Barron
Cllr Seamus Ryan
Cllr Eamon Quinlan
Cllr Eddie Mulligan
Cllr John O Leary
Cllr Tom Cronin
Cllr Adam wise
Cllr James Tobin
Cllr Jason Murphy
Cllr Lola O Sullivan
Cllr Liam Brazil
Cllr Seanie Power
Cllr Declan Doocey
Cllr Pat Nugent
Cllr Damien Geoghegan
Cllr John Cummins
Cllr. Conor D. McGuinness 