Garda numbers in Mayo drop by 4.5%

GARDA numbers in Mayo are down 4.5% since 2022.

The county is high on the request for transfers for members wishing to relocate, but councillors are unhappy that there are no new recruits being stationed there.

The reduction in manpower was confirmed by Chief Superintendent Ronan McMahon in an update at a meeting of Mayo County Council.

He also confirmed that 25 members have been brought into the county from other divisions, with Mayo having one of the highest requests of gardaí looking to relocate, with recruits sent to other divisions to allow them come in.

Councillor Michael Loftus said the policing model is not working in rural areas. Mayo being joined with Longford and Roscommon was too big, and it's time for the Commissioner to give the county back its own Chief Supt.

There weren't enough new gardaí coming to Mayo, he said. "For every 100 going to Dublin, we need 10."

Councillor Harry Barrett said gardaí are demoralised because of the lack of numbers.

Currently in the three county division, there are 581 gardaí. Back in 2020 Mayo along had 343 members.

He called for them to campaign immediately for the reinstatement of the 4.5% lost, and to have numbers that reflect the best European standards for policing in rural areas.

Councillor Barrett said they needed to see preventative policing, gardaí out on the street meeting people.

The loss of the Joint Policing Committees was lamented by Councillor Al McDonnell who said in the past, the gardaí could listen to their concerns and act on them.

There is a void, he said, and he appealed to people at national level to get their replacement forum in place soon.

Policing policies need to be reviewed and changed on an ongoing basis.