Garda Commissioner asked to answer questions on policing in Mayo

THE Garda Commissioner is being asked to answer questions about policing in County Mayo.

Councillor Michael Loftus has submitted a motion for the next meeting of Mayo County Council calling on Commissioner Justin Kelly to attend the February meeting of the local authority.

Councillor Loftus wants to hear from the Garda Commissioner on three specific points:

(1) Reinstating of Mayo Division and appointing a Chief Superintendent. This has been changed for Donegal and has always been the way for Kerry, he pointed out.

(2) Why no garda members were assigned to the Mayo, Roscommon, Longford Division from the recent graduation of 194 new gardaí.

It was very 'demoralising', says Councillor Loftus, for garda members in this Division and members of the public.

(3) Is there a model that is used to determine how probationary gardaí are allocated around the country.