Another Violent Incident on Our Streets As Garda Numbers Continue to Fall. – Tóibín
Aontú Leader Peadar Tóibín TD has expressed dismay after news broke this afternoon of three children having been stabbed in Parnell Square East in Dublin.
The Meath West TD said:
“I am shocked by the news that three young children have been stabbed near a girls school in the Northside of Dublin this afternoon. We hope and pray that the victims of this heinous attack receive urgent care, recover fully and that those responsible are swiftly brought to justice”
“Whilst details of the incident are still emerging, it is clear that this is just violent crime in the capital and other towns and cities is on the increase. Its quite clear that we have reached a dangerous tipping point in terms of crime and anti-social behaviour in towns and villages across the country. Ireland is becoming a more violent and dangerous place. The spike in violent crime unfolding in towns and villages across the country has not happened by accident. Garda numbers are at their lowest in 5 years. Rank and file garda numbers are at the lowest in 6 years. Indeed. Ireland has now one of the smallest per capita police forces in the whole of the EU”.
“New data, just released to the Aontú last week by the Minister for Justice show that so far this year only 237 Gardaí have been recruited, this compares with 605 in 2019. Meanwhile 434 Gardaí have retired so far this year an increase on 2019's figure of 333. Garda resignations are also up significantly on previous years. It has been reported to me that in the month of October, that out of the 25 people who left the Gardaí, 13 of them resigned. This is startling. Resignations were the majority cause of exit from the force last month. Gardaí are voting with their feet and leaving well before their retirement date”.
“Despite all the talk by the government. Despite all the photo shoots of the Minister for Justice walking the street with Garda, the Garda force in Ireland is still shrinking. The bottom line is, that under this Government more Gardaí are leaving the force than are joining. Is it any wonder? The data that I have been given in the last week shows that every day in Ireland at least one Garda is being violently assaulted. So far this year 339 Gardaí have been assaulted while on active duty. 35 gardaí have taken sick leave due to poor mental health so far this year, 300 in total over the last 6 years. As numbers of Garda fall, remaining Garda become more exposed and vulnerable to violent assault. There is no doubt that there is a direct corelation between the spike in violent crime in communities throughout the country and the collapse in Garda numbers. We hope and pray that the victims of this heinous attack receive urgent care and that those responsible are swiftly brought to justice”
