The rise in serious incidents of violent crime in Monaghan must act as a clarion call for action around tougher measures to combat it.
Aontú rep for Monaghan, Olivia Larkin says
“The last few weeks alone have seen a spike in very serious incidents and in one case two Gardai were assaulted and hospitalised.
People who are assaulting Gardai and engaging in anti-social behaviour must face serious consequences.
They simply cannot be allowed to act with impunity.
There is far too much leniency around this issue, and it appears this Government is unable to take the matter in hand and is out of solutions.
Aontú has long called for mandatory sentences for those found guilty of attacking a Garda.
We are in fact the only party to have called for this and it is one of our key policies.
Those who engage in shocking violent behaviour like this must face the full rigours of the law and must be sentenced far quicker than they are at the moment.
It is ludicrous to think that someone who is found guilty of crime and serious violence is allowed to live freely in the community instead of being behind bars.
The increasing frequency and severity of criminal incidents across Monaghan is having a really adverse effect on the fabric of our community.
People have repeatedly told me they are nervous and anxious, and it is disgraceful to think that a small amount of people who have scant respect for law and order are having such an effect on law abiding communities who just want to be able to live in peace.
This situation has only been exacerbated by the ongoing reduction in Garda numbers in Monaghan which I have repeatedly highlighted.
The latest figures indicate a 6.7% fall in personnel between 2024 and 2025, dropping from 178 to just 166 assigned officers in the county.
The data indicates that, despite ongoing commitments and increasing concerns about anti-social behaviour and crime, Garda staffing levels in Monaghan are declining.
A fall in Garda numbers, along with ongoing serious anti-social incidents, cannot simply be dismissed or ignored. Overlooking these problems is deeply unjust to local residents and represents a failure to serve their interests.
Since 2011, more than 140 Garda stations have closed in Ireland, while population and resource demands have grown. Despite stable state finances, public services are stretched and housing shortages persist.
For 21 years under FF and FG, Ireland has reached its lowest number of Gardaí per capita in two decades.Ireland ranks among the countries with the fewest police officers per capita in the European Union.
This continuing situation is frankly disgraceful and the Minister for Justice has a duty to take the matter seriously” .
