Agenda and minutes

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr Enda Stenson

   SECONDED by Sean McDermott

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of the Joint Policing Committee Meeting of 5^th December 2022.

Mr Kieran Brett, Meetings Administrator confirmed there was no correspondence.

Mr Kieran Brett, Meetings Administrator gave an overview on the progress report of the Joint Policing Committee Strategic Plan 2021-2026 ,as set out in Appendix 1 to the minutes of this meeting, and he gave an overview of the Annual Report which outlined the activities of the Joint Policing Committee in 2022, as set out in Appendix 2 to the minutes of this meeting.  

The reports were noted by the Members.

Mr Kieran Brett provided an over-view of the Joint Policing Committee Work Programme for 2023, as set out in Appendix 3 to the minutes of this meeting.

The report was noted by the members.

Superintendent Grogan advised there were no collisions to report in this regard.

Superintendent Grogan gave a report on crime and public order statistics up to 29^th January 2023 with comparative figures for 2022. 

Superintendent Grogan outlined the following.

·                    Assault Causing Harm Incidents are down 50%

·                    Detections for Intoxicated Driving a vehicle are up 100% 

·                    MIT Checkpoints are up 8% 

·                    Domestic – No Offence Identified are down 62%

Superintendent Grogan advised that if a community wishes to hold a property marking event, they should contact An Gardai Siochána, who will facilitate the event.

Superintendent Grogan said community workshops have taken place and there has been good feedback. There are 3 workshops yet to take place in Kinlough, Carrigallen and Drumshanbo.

Superintendent Grogan complimented Leitrim County Council, his colleagues in An Garda Siochana, members of public, multi agencies and the community for all their help and support in the search and recovery of a deceased person recently in this county.

Councillor Finola Armstrong McGuire queried if An Garda Siochana have any further workshops planned for schools. Presentation delivered to parents in schools to date have been excellent and she said in future she would like to see more people attending these events.

Councillor Padraig Fallon said the uptake from parents may be low, but students are delighted to see these workshops taking place.

That Leitrim JPC request the Revenue Section that deals with illegal drug detection and inspection and covering this region to attend the next meeting and make a presentation (and take questions) to this committee on their activities in preventing illegal drugs entering this County and region.

That Leitrim JPC request the Revenue Section that deals with illegal drug detection and inspection and covering this region to attend the next meeting and make a presentation (and take questions) to this committee on their activities in preventing illegal drugs entering this County and region.

Cathaoirleach, Councillor Enda McGloin gave the background to his question, and he said the level of infrastructure is not in place to prevent illegal drugs entering this County and region and he requested the Revenue Section that deals with illegal drug detection and inspection and covering this region to attend the next Joint Policing Committee meeting and make a presentation on their activities in preventing illegal drugs entering the county and region.

Councillor Enda Stenson supported the motion.

Ms Mary Quinn said Leitrim County Council will liaise with An Garda Siochána in regard to the most appropriate person to send this communication to.

Chief Superintendent Aidan Glacken said An Garda Siochana work on a continual basis with Revenue and Customs and he would welcome Revenue to come to a Joint Policing Committee Meeting.

In light of the fifteen female deaths in violent circumstances on the island of Ireland since the killing of Ashling Murphy, the seriousness of the levels of violence against women in Ireland cannot be over-emphasised. New legislation and maximum sentences need to be introduced to address this serious issue. I am asking the JPC to contact the Minister of Justice about this serious issue.

In light of the fifteen female deaths in violent circumstances on the island of Ireland since the killing of Ashling Murphy, the seriousness of the levels of violence against women in Ireland cannot be over-emphasised. New legislation and maximum sentences need to be introduced to address this serious issue. I am asking the JPC to contact the Minister of Justice about this serious issue.

Councillor Sean McDermott said the increasing level of violence against women and men is significant issue and needs to be addressed urgently.

Councillor Mary Bohan acknowledged that there are too many murders and the level of violence against women is increasing. Reporting attacks, for some women, is a big step and she acknowledged that men are also been harassed and attacked.  Councillor Bohan said we need to be more aware and more proactive in regard to violence against women and men and encourage victims to report it.

Councillor Padraig Fallon supported the comments, and he asked if the letter to the Minister would also include the issue of paid leave to the survivors of domestic violence.

Councillor Brendan Barry supported the previous comments he queried what is causing people to get into the state of mind that causes them to resort to violence.

Councillor Enda McGloin concurred with the comments.

Chief Superintendent Glacken said violence in the county needs to be dealt with in all areas of the community and he said we need to continue to encourage people who are subject to domestic violence situations to report them to An Garda Siochana.

Chief Superintendent Glacken said there are supports in place to deal help the victims. 

Mr Kieran Brett advised the next Joint Policing Meeting is taking place on Monday 3^rd April 2023.

Mr Laurence Kennedy gave a presentation to the Members on the Leitrim Alerts messaging system as set out in Appendix 4 to the Minutes of the meeting.

Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Ita Reynolds Flynn thanked those involved in bringing the Leitrim Alerts messaging system to fruition and she said she was delighted to launch the Leitrim Alerts Messaging system and she said it is a significant and welcomed communication channel for the communities of Leitrim as it will allow for expedient communication of Garda alerts and other emergency or weather-related incidents, to residents of communities throughout Leitrim.

Vanessa Clark, Muintir Na Tire welcomed the invitation to the meeting, and she welcomed the Leitrim Alerts initiative and she hoped everyone will use it and see the benefits of this communication channel for communities in Leitrim.

Superintendent Chris Grogan welcomed the Leitrim Alerts system, and said it will be of great benefit to An Garda Siochána in Leitrim and it will enable An Gardai Siochána to issue, in a timely manner, targeted alerts to community members of incidents that could potentially have an impact on the community and its residents.

Cathaoirleach of the Joint Policing Committee, Cllr Enda McGloin welcomed the development and launch the new Leitrim Alerts Community Messaging system.