Agenda and minutes

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr Finola Armstrong McGuire

            SECONDED by Cllr Enda Stenson

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of the Joint Policing Committee Meeting of 31st May 2021.

Mr Kieran Brett, Meetings Administrator advised that there was no meeting correspondence

Councillor Enda McGloin welcomed Kathryne Bohan, Road Safety Officer to give an update on the Road Safety Action Plan. 

Ms Kathryne Bohan, Road Safety Officer gave a presentation as set out in Appendix 1 to the Minutes of this meeting on the Road Safety Action Plan.

Councillor Enda McGloin thanked Ms Bohan for her presentation and invited questions from the Members.

Councillor Sean McDermott raised a safety concern on the stretch of road between Clancy’s shop and restaurant and the Ballroom of Romance in Glenfarne. Councillor McDermott said he has proposed that some safety measures are put in place at this location.

Councillor Enda Stenson referred to the current issue that exists in Mohill with Main St. currently closed due to remedial works being carried out to a dangerous building on the Main Street.  Cllr Stenson said traffic is being rerouted to smaller roads which are not safe for articulated lorries and heavy traffic. He asked if An Garda Siochana have a plan in place if such an emergency arises again.

Chief Superintendent Glacken acknowledged the ongoing situation in Mohill, and said as emergency situations arise, measures must be taken to try and facilitate people who are going about their business in the best possible way, using the alternative routes available.  Chief Superintendent Glacken said the best alternate routes have been identified in Mohill.

Councillor Justin Warnock asked if all the small accidents at Lennox Bridge Road are recorded on a weekly basis.

Councillor Padraig Fallon commended the “Drive for Life Road Safety Education Programme for Secondary School Students” and noted there is good feedback on this programme from the students.

Councillor Fallon supported the comments by Councillor McDermott on the road safety issue at Clancy’s in Glenfarne and Councillor Justin Warnock’s comments regarding Lennox Bridge.

Councillor Padraig Fallon queried if anything could be done to alleviate the parking situation at Lough Allen College in Drumkeeran.  Councillor Fallon said the number of pickups and drops offs at the school is leading to congestion and he asked that this matter be kept under review.

Councillor Brendan Barry proposed that more attention be paid to speeding in Keshcarrigan.  People have concerns that an accident will happen because of speeding vehicles, and he proposed that some measures or speed ramps could be put in place. He appealed to motorists to slow down when going through villages.

Ms Kathryne Bohan responded to the matters raised by the members as follows:

•          There is currently a grant allocation for upgrade works on Lennox Bridge and Leitrim County Council are engaging with consultants on the design of the bridge. 

•          A decision on the rollout of “Drive for Life Road Safety Education Programme for Secondary School Students” in 2022 was dependant on the continued relaxation of COVID-19 public health guidelines.

•          It may be possible to address the parking issue at Lough Allen College through the Active Travel scheme.

•          A low-cost safety scheme can be considered for Keshcarrigan, including the possible introduction of driver feedback  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.

Inspector Curry said the LA 16 Collision report and evaluation procedure form is completed by An Garda Síochána with the purpose of collecting data at road traffic collision sites where a fatality has occurred or that are likely to become fatal. No such incidents have occurred year-to-date in Leitrim.

Chief Superintendent Glacken gave a presentation on the crime statistics for County Leitrim for 2020 compared to 2021 as of 26th September 2021. He outlined burglaries are down 52% from 58 to 28, thefts are down 16% from 87 to 73, minor assaults are down 54% from 23 to 13, drug searches are up 24% from 62 to 47, intoxicated driving vehicle detections are up 50% from 24 to 36 and drugs driving detections are up 79% from 14 to 25. 

Chief Superintendent Glacken said that the Sligo Leitrim Divisional Protective Services Unit (DPSU) continues to receive referrals from the three Gardaí Districts, national Garda units’ and other agencies such as TUSLA, SATU and DVAS. The members of the unit currently have 96 active investigations.  In addition, the unit continues to engage in various non investigative projects.

Members of the unit carried out joint training with Donegal Sexual Assault Treatment Unit and it is proposed that this training will be rolled out to all supervisors in the coming months. CPD training continues with probationary Gardaí, giving them an insight into the workings of the unit and best practice with regard to initial response to sexual and domestic crime. An Garda Siochana work in conjunction with the other members of the Sexual Assault Response Team, SATU, DVAS and TUSLA and in this regard a training day for professionals took place on 30th September 2021 with the aim being to provide a practical multi-agency approach to sexual violence.

The DPSU continues to actively engage and with the Diversity Strategy. A workshop with Sligo Traveller Support group took place recently and the Gardai look forward to building on the links made with this group. DPSU members also participated in a number of information days with members of the SMILY LGBTQ group, Islamic society, Indian society and residents of Globe House.

Councillor Enda McGloin thanked Chief Superintendent Glacken for his comprehensive report.  Councillor Enda McGloin noted the surprisingly high figures in the report for drink drinking. Cllr McGloin sought clarification on the number of Gardai Community Engagement incidents and queried if these figures referred to interactions or actual issues that An Garda Siochána are dealing with.

Chief Superintendent Glacken confirmed the figures relate to both.

Councillor Padraig Fallon welcomed that drug searches are occurring in County Leitrim.  Councillor Fallon said the figures relating to the DPSU are startling and he asked if it would be possible to have a trained Garda dealing with protective services in Carrick-on-Shannon and Manorhamilton.

Councillor Mary Bohan paid tribute to An Garda Siochana for their report on the DPSU and how these issues are being dealt with.  Councillor Bohan acknowledged that this is a specialised area and said it is important the public are made aware of this service. She asked how the members of the JPC can make the public more aware of how and where they can avail of these services.

Councillor Justin Warnock welcomed that burglaries are decreasing.

Chief Superintendent Glacken said the DPSU is a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

The Castlecara road has been made a preferred route for Heavy Goods Vehicles during street works in Carrick town. This road is considered by many as unsuitable for HGVs and the accident which occurred on 22nd July 2021 emphasises this.

Was a Garda report done on this accident and are there recommendations from the report re the suitability of the road for HGVs and other heavy vehicles?

The Castlecara road has been made a preferred route for Heavy Goods Vehicles during street works in Carrick town. This road is considered by many as unsuitable for HGVs and the accident which occurred on 22nd July 2021 emphasises this.

Was a Garda report done on this accident and are there recommendations from the report re the suitability of the road for HGVs and other heavy vehicles?

Councillor Finola Armstrong McGuire said she raised this issue at a Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District Meeting previously and she said this is a quite road, popular with cyclists and walkers and it is not suitable for HGVs. 

Councillor Enda Stenson supported Councillor Finola Armstrong McGuire comments on this issue. Councillor Stenson said the Castlecarra Road is not fit for HGV’s and members of An Garda Siochana will have to assist Leitrim County Council in this regard.

Superintendent Grogan confirmed that an accident took place on this road on 22nd July 2021 in which a lorry collided with a tree. No other vehicle was involved.  The road was closed for 3.5 hours to enable the appropriate services to remove the overturned lorry.  Superintendent Grogan acknowledged that it is not an ideal situation for HGV’s to be using this road, but no alternative quick fix solution is available.

The N4 at Carrick frequently experiences traffic queues from the N4 Sligo Road through to Carrick Bridge. What analysis has the Garda roads division and Carrick area Garda completed to identify the causes and what proposals have been considered to give traffic relief to the congestion?

It was agreed to take Question 6(b) in the name of Councillor Finola Armstrong McGuire and Question 6(c) in the name of Councillor Paddy Farrell concurrently as they relation to the same matter.

Question from Councillor Finola Armstrong McGuire

The N4 at Carrick frequently experiences traffic queues from the N4 Sligo Road through to Carrick Bridge. What analysis has the Garda roads division and Carrick area Garda completed to identify the causes and what proposals have been considered to give traffic relief to the congestion?

Question from Councillor Paddy Farrell

Are there any measures or initiatives that An Garda Síochána can introduce to alleviate the traffic congestion in Carrick-on-Shannon on the N4 approach from the Sligo direction?

Councillor Finola Armstrong McGuire referred to situation with traffic queues from the N4 Sligo Road through to Carrick Bridge.  Councillor Armstrong McGuire asked if all studies have been done by An Garda Siochana concerning traffic volumes and flow and queried if a report has been prepared and what proposals have been identified to relieve traffic congestion.  Councillor Finola Armstrong McGuire outlined the bad publicity about traffic congestion in Carrick-on-Shannon on social media and asked if something can be done to alleviate the traffic problem.

Councillor Paddy Farrell supported Councillor Finola Armstrong McGuire in this regard.

Mr Lar Power, Chief Executive, said the traffic situation on the N4 in Carrick-on-Shannon has attracted national attention.  A competent traffic consultant was engaged by Leitrim County Council for a 3-day period to monitor the traffic at every junction in Carrick-on-Shannon.  The capacity of traffic on the bridge is 840 vehicles per hour and currently, traffic volumes exceed this.   Mr Power said if Leitrim County Council could do something to relieve traffic congestion it would already have been done.

Mr Lar Power acknowledged that the diversion route on the Castlecarra road was not ideal but was the safest option at a moment in time as it was safer than bringing the HGV traffic into town.  The diversion for HGVs onto this road has now been lifted, however.

Mr Lar Power said Main Street in Mohill remains closed because the structural engineers from Jennings and O’Donovan, who have been engaged by Leitrim County Council, had not given the go ahead to re-open Main Street as it has not been deemed safe to do so.

Chief Superintendent Glacken acknowledged the traffic problem in Carrick-on-Shannon caused by the volume of the traffic going over the bridge. He acknowledged that the pedestrian crossing on Coffey’s side of the bridge has been highlighted as a possible cause of delay, however this crossing is necessary as it facilitates pedestrian access to the quay, and it is a necessary road safety feature. He stated there is no viable short-term solution to traffic queuing until a bypass is provided for the town.

At the Manorhamilton MD on  Monday Sept 20^th, the members requested that a joint question be submitted to the JPC to ask what are the opening hours at Manorhamilton Garda Station?

At the Manorhamilton MD on Monday 20th September, the members requested that a joint question be submitted to the JPC to ask what are the opening hours at Manorhamilton Garda Station?

Superintendent Grogan confirmed that Manorhamilton Garda Station is open on a 24-hour basis, 7 days per week. It is staffed by 3 sergeants, 18 gardai and 2 detective gardai. A recruitment process is underway to appoint clerical officers to free up trained Gardai from administrative duties.  A clerical officer has been appointed to Carrick-on-Shannon Garda Station and the recruitment process for clerical officer staff is underway for Manorhamilton.

Councillor Sean McDermott welcomed the conformation that Manorhamilton Garda Station is open 24 hours, as it was rumoured in the community that Manorhamilton was not a 24-hour station and Carrick-on-Shannon was.  Councillor McDermott acknowledged that it is important that clarity has been provided that Manorhamilton is open 24 hours.

Councillor Enda McGloin raised the issue that the Garda Station in Drumshanbo and some other Garda stations should be opened once or twice a week for a few hours to allow members of the public to get forms signed. 

Councillor Sean McDermott sought an update on the cell in Manorhamilton Garda Station.

Chief Superintendent Glacken confirmed that the OPW have a series of works to carry out over the next 6 months and he will revert to the Councillor Sean McDermott with an update on the works in Manorhamilton at a later date.

What is the law in relation to setting up illegal campsites (caravans) on public or private property which have no toilet or recycling facilities, as a consequence the horrific mess created by the individuals has to be dealt with by volunteers from the local community or the local authority staff?

What is the law in relation to setting up illegal campsites (caravans) on public or private property which have no toilet or recycling facilities, as a consequence the horrific mess created by the individuals has to be dealt with by volunteers from the local community or the local authority staff?

Councillor Justin Warnock outlined  that two caravans had moved into the Askill area over a month ago with local residents fearful to go to near this area. Councillor Warnock said there are no toilet facilities and black bags of rubbish are piling up. Councillor Sean McDermott supported Councillor Justin Warnock’s comments on this matter.

Superintendent Grogan said Section 69 of the Roads Act 1993 deals with temporary dwellings on national roads and An Garda Siochana must consult with the Local Authority in this regard.

Ms Mary Quinn, Director of Services, Housing, Corporate Services, Community and Cultural Services said that a number of inspections have taken place and the Local Authority and An Garda Siochana are in discussions with a view to resolving the current situation.  She advised that when further clarification is available in this regard, she will revert to Councillor Warnock.

Councillor Justin Warnock called for the matter to be dealt with as a matter of urgency.

Councillor Enda McGloin said the Local Authority and An Garda Siochana are doing their best in dealing with this situation.

As we head into the winter period there is a greater need to reassure the public of the Garda presence in our communities, therefore is it possible to tailor working hours to give that visibility and reassurance?

As we head into the winter period there is a greater need to reassure the public of the Garda presence in our communities, therefore is it possible to tailor working hours to give that visibility and reassurance?

Councillor Justin Warnock said that the public are not aware that An Garda Siochana work from 7 pm to 7am in Kinlough and that visibility is very important to give reassurance to the public.  Councillor Warnock sought clarification on the Gardai resources working out of Kinlough and he said that a clerical officer should be put in place in Kinlough.

Superintendent Grogan said one clerical officer has been appointed to Carrick-on-Shannon Garda Station and a clerical officer is in the process of being recruited for Manorhamilton.  Superintendent Grogan said it is not ideal situation, but Kinlough is a rural area and when a call comes into Manorhamilton, it may require the services from Kinlough station.  Superintendent Grogan said that policing in a rural area, like Kinlough, is reactive in nature. Resources must be allocated to the best possible effect, and this is the nature of rural policing.

What progress has been made on the closed Garda Stations in Leitrim in relation to been acquired by community groups?

What progress has been made on the closed Garda Stations in Leitrim in relation to been acquired by community groups?

Councillor Sean McDermott asked for an update on what progress is being made in relation to closed Garda Stations and he acknowledged work to date by Leitrim County Council.

Councillor Mary Bohan said there are a number of community groups who are willing to take over these closed garda stations.  Councillor Bohan said it was unanimously agreed by the members of the Manorhamilton Municipal District that Drumkeerin Garda Station should not go for auction as this is a relatively new building and this resolution was sent to the Minister for Justice and An Garda Siochana.

Chief Superintendent Glacken said An Garda Siochana do not own Garda Stations - they are the property of the OPW.  Chief Superintendent Glacken outlined that Minister O’Donovan has advised that 4 auctions of Garda Stations are to be held in 2021, however, he is unaware of what specific stations will be the subject of auction.  Chief Superintendent Glacken said he did get a query in relation to Glenfarne Garda Station, and he has responded to it. He also outlined that re-opening Drumkeeran Garda Station is under consideration dependant on resources, and he will contact both the Garda Commissioner and OPW in this regard and revert to Councillor Bohan on the matter.

Councillor Mary Bohan thanked Chief Superintendent Glacken for his response, outlining that it is very important that there is a Garda presence especially with the number of burglaries that have taken place recently in this area.

Ms Mary Quinn confirmed that Leitrim County Council are currently engaging with OPW in relation to leasing Keshcarrigan and Dromahair Garda Stations for use by community groups.  Ms Quinn advised that no correspondence has been received from the OPW regarding Glenfarne Garda Station and will seek a further update in this regard.

Councillor Sean McDermott said he hoped Glenfarne Garda Station would be made available to the Community for their use.

Councillor Sean McDermott thanked Chief Superintendent Glacken for the work carried out around the Glenfarne Garda Station.

It was agreed that the next meeting of the Joint Policing Committee will be held at 11 am on Monday, 29th November 2021.

It was agreed the Public Joint Policing meeting will take place on the 3rd November 2021 at  7 pm in Áras Padraig Hall, Drumshanbo.