No increase in Mayo garda numbers for the past 18 months

Mayo TD Lisa Chambers has expressed her disappointment that Mayo has seen no increase in garda numbers over the past 18 months.

The Castlebar-based representative stated: 'Despite constant media spin and assurances from government that more gardaí are being recruited and that every community will see an increase in garda numbers, this has not happened in Mayo. 

'Figures released to me from the Department of Justice show a no increase in Mayo over the past 18 months.

'It is widely accepted that rural crime is becoming a bigger problem, often being underreported because people feel as if there is no help to be got. 

'It is also worth nothing that the Traffic Corp nationally is down 40% in numbers in the last seven years. This has impacted Mayo and like every other county we absolutely need more gardaí.

'The only way to deter criminals and prevent antisocial behaviour is to have a greater garda presence on the ground, people will feel safer and communities will be safer with extra gardaí on the beat and patrolling our roads.

'With extra gardaí being recruited, every county and every community should see and feel the benefits of this. 

'The question must be asked why has Mayo seen no additional gardaí to our stations? We now have a minister at cabinet and I am asking that he raise this matter directly with the Minister for Justice and ensure that additional gardaí are posted to Mayo without delay,' she concluded.