Minutes:
Superintendent Christopher Grogan said this was his first meeting at the Joint Policing Committee. He was appointed in December 2020 but due to a serious injury he sustained was unable to take up the role officially until May 2021. He paid tribute to Inspectors Curry, Collins and Tracey for all their help.
Superintendent Grogan said that An Garda Siochana are down 4 members in the Leitrim District and the Chief Superintendent is continuing to seek more resources.
Superintendent Grogan gave a presentation on the crime statistics for County Leitrim for 2021 up to 17th March compared with 2020. He said that 334 drug searches have taken place to date this year which are up 118% from 45 to 98. Burglaries are down 55% from 33 to 15, Thefts are down 13% from 24 to 21, Assault Minor is down 24% from 26 to 19, Assault Causing Harm is down 50% from 10 to 5.
There are increased patrols on coastal and inland waterways. 186 Covid Fines were issued for the period 1st January 2021 to 30th April 2021, 135 of these fines were for movement of people and 49 for events. Domestic violence incidents are up over 60% this year. Superintendent Grogan paid tribute to Sergeant McGrath and assisted by Pat Forde, Regional Director Youth Ireland North Connaught on Youth Education and Awareness Programmes which are a good starting point for young people.
Superintendent Grogan said Mohill Garda Station will be refurbished in a few weeks with Gardai being temporarily relocated to Carrick-on-Shannon or Drumshanbo while the works are ongoing. Mobile gardai clinics will being made available for the duration of the works. Kinlough Garda Station is also due for refurbishment works.
Superintendent Grogan said there were 13 drink driving offences, 12 drug driving offices, 3 traffic collisions resulting in serious injuries and no fatal traffic accidents. 217 checkpoints have been in place to date and 496 patrols have been carried out. A road safety campaign aimed saving lives will be held from 14th to 18th June 2021. A drink driving campaign will take place from the 5th to 7th June 2021.
Councillor Enda McGloin thanked Superintendent Grogan for his comprehensive report.
Councillor Mary Bohan congratulated Superintendent Grogan on his appointment and thanked him for his report.
Councillor Mary Bohan sought clarification if the increase in the domestic abuse related to the entire division or was this a figure specific to county Leitrim and she asked what agencies are involved in dealing with this problem as this is a very worrying trend.
In welcoming Superintendent Grogan, Councillor Justin Warnock extended an invitation to visit Kinlough. Councillor Warnock paid tribute to An Garda Siochana for their activity in Kinlough and he noted that the citizens are happy with the increased presence. Councillor Warnock said he would like to see the staff in Kinlough Garda Station going up from 5 to 6. Councillor Warnock queried if there will be a mobile unit in Kinlough when refurbishment works are taking place on the garda station.
Inspector Curry said the domestic abuse figures relate to Leitrim and acknowledged they have increased. An Garda Siochana link in with a lot of agencies that are available to people in this regard. Engagement is ongoing and as part of Operation Faoiseamh there is a national policy document whereby An Garda Siochana call back within 7 days to any call on domestic abuse and give information packs to affected persons. An Garda Siochana liaise with DVAS very regularly.
Superintendent Grogan said that he does not see Kinlough Garda Station closed for refurbishment works and he acknowledged that Kinlough has challenges due to its close proximity to Bundoran and he said he will do all he can to engage in extra policing.
Councillor Felim Gurn asked if there has been a large increase in detection of drugs at drug driving checkpoints in the Sligo/Leitrim area.
Councillor Armstrong McGuire welcomed Superintendent Grogan and welcomed the commitment to coastal and river waterways patrols and asked why this has come about.
Inspector Curry said with the high garda visibility presence on our roads an increase in drugs use has been detected with the use of roadside devices that detect drug driving. Garda presence is helping and a lot of work with intelligence in the background is also helping to detect drugs.
Superintendent Grogan said there is no specific alerts to Leitrim in regard to coastal or river waterways but is part of a national programme to increase patrols on waterways. This is an extension of road policing to the waterways.
Councillor Enda McGloin referred to a motion raised recently by Councillor Caillian Ellis in regard to a full-time presence in Ballinamore Garda Station. Cllr McGloin called for 2 or 3 hours public opening hours a week to be allocated to Drumshanbo Gardai Station to facilitate members of the public in getting forms signed etc and this would save people having to travel to Carrick-on-Shannon.
Councillor Sean McDermott said there was a rumour that Garda Stations are going to be closed at night.
Inspector Curry said Ballinamore, Drumshanbo and Mohill are not 24 hr stations and An Garda Siochana have members assigned to these stations. Carrick-on-Shannon Gardai also carries out mobile patrols in these areas. An Gardai Siochana are always providing services and the high visibility is making people feel safe in their communities.
An Garda Siochana have put a business case forward for more resources and the Chief Superintendent is continually looking for additional resources. The Gardai will review the situation in relation to a short-term public counter service at Drumshanbo Garda Station.
Councillor Enda McGloin welcomed this positive reply.