Agenda and minutes

On thePROPOSALof Cllr Enda Stenson

            SECONDEDby Janice Raine Conick

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of the Joint Policing Committee Meeting of 30^th May 2022.

Correspondence from the Department of Justice on the Local Community Safety Partnerships

Kathyrne Bohan gave an update on the Road Safety Action Plan as circulated to the Members which appears as Appendix 1 to the Minutes of the Meeting.

Chairperson, Councillor Enda McGloin thanked Kathryne Bohan for the update and invited questions/comments from the members.

Councillor Padraig Fallon said there are a number of different speed limits on the N16 and this has been raised at the Manorhamilton Municipal District meetings.  Councillor Fallon said members have been seeking feedback signs at different locations all over the county. 

Councillor Justin Warnock said schools should be visited on an annual basis to encourage more children to walk and cycle to school.  Cllr Warnock complemented the Local Authority on the work done on the Active Travel Scheme.

Councillor Sean McDermott highlighted the number of different speed limit zones on the N16 from Blacklion to Sligo. Councillor McDermott proposed that there should be more road signage put in place to highlight to motorists to the existence of these speed limit zones.

Councillor Enda Stenson referred to the Public Joint Policing Committee meeting held in Drumshanbo in November 2021, where a number of residents on the Castlecarra Road, in Carrick on Shannon raised concerns regarding the dangerous nature of the road and he sought an update on the works carried out on this road.

Councillor Enda Stenson asked if there is a policy in relation to the provision of cushions or speed ramps on roads.

Ms Kathleen Flanagan said the pedestrian crossings at the Park Lane and Leitrim Road Junctions with Main St. in Carrick on Shannon need to be examined, as they are dangerous for pedestrians.

Councillor Finola Armstrong McGuire concurred with Ms Flanagan, and she said this has been taken up with the Senior Executive Engineer and he has confirmed that this is not necessary.

Councillor Finola Armstrong McGuire said an initiative should be piloted for school children that it is “uncool to be driven to school” and to encourage more children to walk and cycle to school.  Councillor Armstrong McGuire acknowledged that the reason could be that school bags are too heavy.

Councillor Sean McGowan supported Councillor Armstrong McGuire’s comments. Councillor McGowan said he has raised a motion at the Carrick MD seeking for a school bus service to be introduced to serve the estates around Carrick-on-Shannon. This would reduce the number of vehicles on the road around school times, it would be safe and good for the environment.

Councillor McGowan sought an update on the Active Travel connection between Rooskey and the local housing estates and also on the proposed pedestrian link from Jamestown and Drumsna.

Councillor McGloin asked if some cushions could be put in place on the Carrick Road in Drumshanbo from Mooney’s House to the swimming pool. He also proposed that a link road is put in place from the Housing Estate to the Dowra Road.

Councillor Mary Bohan queried how the school programme is initiated.

Mr Terry McGovern, Senior Engineer responded to the queries raised by members as follows:  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.

No update was available for this meeting.

Superintendent Grogan gave a report on crime and public order statistics up to 29^th November 2022 with comparative figures for 2021.

Superintendent Grogan said his main focus is that Leitrim is a family friendly county and he appealed to all to work together to ensure this, and he appealed to people to come forward and report any violence to the Gardai.

Chairperson, Councillor Enda McGloin thanked Superintendent Grogan for the update and he noted the increase in suicide figures which is all too common in our county.

Superintendent Grogan left the meeting at this point to attend another engagement.

I ask the Gardai if a private individual can clamp cars on private property, if a licence is required to clamp motor vehicles, and if an individual can clamp on public property. Have the Gardai have received any complaints with regard to such activity taking place within this division.

Will the Gardia be establishing regular visits to local estates on a continual basis. If so, is there a schedule of dates that could be shared with residents?

Will the Gardia be establishing regular visits to local estates on a continual basis. If so, is there a schedule of dates that could be shared with residents?

Ms Kathleen Flanagan said she had been asked to raise this question at this meeting. Ms Flanagan said An Garda Siochana had high visibility during Covid and this high visibility has stopped now.  Ms Flanagan  said she would like to see this visibility of An Garda Siochana again.

Inspector Carla Curry said she encourages An Garda Siochana to park up the patrol car and walk around estates. Inspector Carla Curry said An Garda Siochana are looking at improving this in 2023.

Are the plans to have a machinery and implement-marking day in the Manorhamilton area soon?  A community member has noticed adverts for this service in other areas of Leitrim.

Are the plans to have a machinery and implement-marking day in the Manorhamilton area soon? A community member has noticed adverts for this service in other areas of Leitrim.

Inspector Carla Curry said the Community Engagement Unit is active in the community and will carry out property marking on farms as required.  People or communities who want such marking are to contact Garda David Morgan or Sergeant McGrath and they will arrange for the Community Engagement Unit to call and carry out the marking.

Inspector Carla Curry paid tribute to Leitrim County Council for providing the funding for the marking machine.

Can you outline the rules and regulations concerning electric / battery operated scooters in our towns, on footpaths and streets generally. Increasingly, we are met with people on these scooters speeding on footpaths and travelling contra to traffic flow on road in towns.  Rules need to be made known for the safety of all. 

Can you outline the rules and regulations concerning electric / battery operated scooters in our towns, on footpaths and streets generally. Increasingly, we are met with people on these scooters speeding on footpaths and travelling contra to traffic flow on road in towns. Rules need to be made known for the safety of all. 

Inspector Carla Curry said users of such scooters need to have a driver licence. Inspector Carla Curry acknowledged this is a grey area and legislation is quite difficult in this area. Inspector Curry informed the members that the RSA website is very informative on this matter.

Is there an adequate number of Gardai operating presently out of Manorhamilton Garda Station, given the number of Garda Stations in North Leitrim that have closed in recent years?

Is there an adequate number of Gardai operating presently out of Manorhamilton Garda Station, given the number of Garda Stations in North Leitrim that have closed in recent years?

Councillor Sean McDermott queried if there are enough of patrol cars to cover the Manorhamilton area.

Inspector Carla Curry said extra resources would always be welcome. At present between marked and unmarked vehicles, there is a sufficient amount of garda vehicles available in North Leitrim

Can we get an update on the proposed works to Manorhamilton Garda Station, i.e. the new cell at this station.

Can we get an update on the proposed works to Manorhamilton Garda Station, i.e. the new cell at this station.

Inspector Carla Curry said this is the responsibility of the OPW and this work is on the works programme for 2023.

Could I ask when we are to expect the results of the survey of Manorhamilton Town CCTV system, that was carried out last July or has the Local Authority received them yet.

Could I ask when we are to expect the results of the survey of Manorhamilton Town CCTV system, that was carried out last July or has the Local Authority received them yet.

Ms Mary Quinn said an Audit was carried out over the summer. The report has been received and is currently under consideration. Discussion on the report will take place with the Town Team in the coming weeks.

Will the Gardaí ensure that there is continual policing of the Barley Field Estate in Carrigallen at night?

Will the Gardaí ensure that there is continual policing of the Barley Field Estate in Carrigallen at night?

Inspector Carla Curry said people are reluctant to report anti-social behaviour to An Garda Siochana. Inspector Carla Curry appealed to people to contact An Garda Siochana with information in relation to anti-social behaviour, vandalism etc. Early reporting is very important and An Garda Siochana will check it out and act on it.

After seeing the human trafficking and the sexual exploitation of young women, when raids were carried out on brothels across Northern Ireland last week, I ask An Garda Siochána would they be concerned that such sexual exploitation and modern day slavery could be happening under the radar here in the North West?

After seeing the human trafficking and the sexual exploitation of young women, when raids were carried out on brothels across Northern Ireland last week, I ask An Garda Siochána would they be concerned that such sexual exploitation and modern day slavery could be happening under the radar here in the North West?

Councillor Justin Warnock gave the background to his question and expressed his disappointment that the same behaviour is going on in this region and he asked how come it is not being addressed.

Councillor Mary Bohan supported Councillor Warnock in this regard.

Councillor Mary Bohan said people are coming in with the proper documentation and then it is being taken off them. She acknowledged it is a difficult issue to deal with and that it is happening in every major town in the country. Councillor Bohan appealed to people in local communities, if they are aware of such activity, to report it.

Inspector Carla Curry said it is important that where people are aware of such activity that it is reported and brought to the attention of An Garda Siochana. Inspector Carla Curry confirmed that migrant worker welfare checks are being carried out and that the WRC also contact An Garda Siochana to carry out checks on working conditions.

I ask if An Garda Siochana could a have physical presence on our streets and meet and greet local people in Leitrim's towns and villages where possible in the run up to Christmas?

I ask if An Garda Siochana could a have physical presence on our streets and meet and greet local people in Leitrim's towns and villages where possible in the run up to Christmas?

Councillor Justin Warnock said there is less and less visibility of An Garda Siochana on our streets and this visibility is important as it reassures people. It is a good Public Relations exercise for the Gardai.

Cathaoirleach, Councillor Enda McGloin supported Councillor Justin Warnock comments.

Councillor Brendan Barry said the two last issues raised exist because local people no longer know the local Gardai, and An Garda Siochana have lost that community touch.

Inspector Carla Curry noted the members comments and said they had been taken on board. An Garda Siochana will improve on getting officers out more on foot patrols.

Councillor Mary Bohan asked for an update on the Community Alert Scheme.

Ms Quinn said the Leitrim Alert System will be launched at the January Joint Policing Committee Meeting and then people will be able to sign up to receive alerts.

Councill Bohan said there should be some co-ordinated approach with other counties.

Mr Kieran Brett advised the members of the schedule of meetings for 2023 as follows:

• Monday 30^th January 2023.   
• Monday 3^rd April 2023
• Monday 3rd October 2023
• Monday 4^th December 2023

• PUBLIC MEETING: Wednesday 13^th September 2023 - Carrick MD area

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Finola Armstrong McGuire

And SECONDED by Councillor Sean McDermott

It was AGREED that the following Meeting Schedule of the Joint Policing Committee for 2023 be approved.

• Monday 30^th January 2023.   
• Monday 3^rd April 2023
• Monday 3rd October 2023
• Monday 4^th December 2023

PUBLIC MEETING: Wednesday 13^th September 2023 - Carrick MD area

Cathaoirleach, Councillor Enda McGloin said a survey will be sent to all members to complete in regard to the presentation and their feedback on same is appreciated.

Cathaoirleach, Councillor Enda McGloin wished everyone a very Happy and safe Christmas.