Mayo now has less garda vehicles than it had in 2012

THE number of vehicles assigned to An Garda Siochana in Mayo has not increased despite a sum of €34 million being invested in the fleet nationally since 2012, it has been revealed.

The Mayo division has a total of 56 vehicles at his disposal across its five divisions of Balla (9), Belmullet (5), Castlebar (16), Claremorris (20) and Westport (6).

The figure represents a drop of one since January 1, 2012. However, a total of 34 vehicles were assigned to Mayo since 2012 to replace old ones.

In response to a parliamentary question by Mayo Fianna Fáil Deputy Lisa Chambers, Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald said a total of 640 new vehicles had come on stream since the start of 2015. A total of 13 of those were allocated to Mayo.

The minister stated: “This significant investment provides the gardaí with additional high-powered vehicles, marked and unmarked patrol cars, and motorcycles for high-visibility road policing.

“Investment in a modern, effective and fit-for-purpose garda fleet will continue under the Government’s Capital Plan 2016-2021 which provides €46 million for new garda vehicles, ensuring that gardaí can be mobile, visible and responsive on the roads and in the community to prevent and tackle crime.

“I am informed by the garda authorities that the allocation of garda vehicles is monitored and reviewed on a continual basis and vehicles are allocated between districts as required by operational circumstances including, for example, when vehicles are required in other districts to substitute for vehicles under repair.