Johnston welcomes Garda patrols on Donabate peninsula

Johnston welcomes Garda patrols on Donabate peninsula

A Labour Party delegation consisting of Duncan Smith TD, Cllr James Humphreys and Corina Johnston Area Representative met with senior officials of the Gardai including Assistant Garda Commissioner Anne Marie Cagney, Superintendents Brian Woods and Ronan Barry to discuss the need for additional Garda resources on the peninsula. Corina Johnston said;“in their response the Garda informed us of their intention to provide two additional Gardai for foot patrol duties on the Donabate peninsula on each weekend commencing on Friday 30th April. This forms part of their good weather initiative which will continue during the summer period. “Johnston continued; “ While I welcome the much needed additional resources for Donabate, I stressed the need for community Gardai to be assigned to Donabate on a permanent basis given the projected growth in the population.”Johnston continued; “ Duncan Smith TD and I have been advocating for the introduction of the See Something Say Something Garda text initiative on the peninsula. Superintendent Barry gave his continued support to the introduction of this text alert initiative which has proved successful in a pilot scheme in Swords. The extension of this scheme will be decided in conjunction with Fingal County Council and the Chamber of Commerce in the near future.“ Johnston added; “the following issues were raised by our delegation:- the need for a community based policing forum- the need for a domestic abuse officer for the Swords and Donabate district- an online post primary school programme initiative in advance of the school summer recess.The Gardai committed to giving serious consideration to these proposals.”Johnston concluded;”Duncan Smith TD and I also raised the need for a permanent Garda station on the peninsula.We suggested that in the event of the Progressive Credit Union proceeding with their intention to sell the Credit Union building, as seems likely from responses received to date, that this could well be an ideal location for a Garda station. In their response the Gardai said that while they have no objection in principle to a Garda Station on the peninsula, this however would be a political decision“