New Garda for Ballyjamesduff

Seamus Enright


The community of Ballyjamesduff has received a major boost following recent events with news the town is to have a new member of An Garda Síochána assigned to it to assist in combating the occurrence of anti-social behaviour and other crime in the area. The new member will replace a recent retiree from the force who had not, to date, been replaced and will be assigned to serve the area from Bailieborough Garda Station.
The move comes after a promise from Chief Superintendent James Sheridan at a public meeting held a fortnight ago where one of the major concerns raised was that there was not a big enough Garda presence to adequately patrol the area.
Chief Supt Sheridan told those in attendance that, while resources were tight, he would look to see if a solution could be found.
Furthermore, another meeting in the town last week, the third to date, this time to elect a committee to help steer ideas for improving conditions for young people living locally, has also proved successful.
With Padraig Smith and Shirley Byers as chair and vice-chair respectively, a number of young people have also been elected to the committee.
“It’s a good news story for the town,” Fine Gael Cllr Paddy Smith, who is to serve as joint treasurer, told The Anglo-Celt. “Chief Supt Sheridan promised us that the situation here would be kept in focus. He made no promises, only that he would look at what resources he had available and he has obviously felt the need for another Garda here in Ballyjamesduff, which we’re delighted about.”
He further commended the community as a whole for its ability to work together and said it was hugely positive to see now that there were young people too getting involved in coming up with solutions.