GRA warns over lack of resources in Limerick
Irish Examiner  Jimmy Woulfe, September 2006

LIMERICK gardaí yesterday warned if adequate resources are not given to them to deal with violence in the city, steps will be taken to ensure colleagues are not put at undue risk.

The Garda Representative Association (GRA) statement came as Defence Minister Willie O'Dea pledged backing for gardaí to be fully equipped to fight serious crime in the city. “In the past week, 16 additional gardaí were assigned to city garda stations, bringing to 513 the number now in the Limerick division,” he said.

Meanwhile, Justice Minister Michael McDowell emphasised that all gardaí required in Limerick would be available — including officers from other garda divisions, if necessary.

The Tánaiste also insisted the community in Moyross would not be abandoned and that there would be no stinting in any way with regard to garda resources.

Limerick mayor Joe Leddin said serious crime cannot be left to the gardaí to deal with on their own.

He said a multi-agency approach needed to be adopted to come up with strategies and solutions.

A special meeting of the Limerick divisional committee of the GRA yesterday voiced its concern at recent attacks on gardaí and patrol vehicles in Moyross.

“We will be making strong representations to the authorities with specific reference to the provision of adequate resources so that the members of the GRA will not in the future be subjected to extreme violence from a small section of residents in that area,” said Kevin McCarthy, Limerick GRA representative on the association’s national executive.

He said if the GRA discover resources are not adequate, they will ensure gardaí will not be put at any undue or unreasonable risk until necessary resources are forthcoming.