Chief’s letter at odds with reality, says Cllr Fay

Independent Councillor Brendan Fay has expressed concern that a recent letter from Garda Commissioner Drew Harris does not reflect the real concerns of frontline gardaí operating in Cavan.

The letter was received in response to a query from Cllr Fay sent back in February, which raised questions about staffing levels and resources across local garda stations.

In his correspondence, Comm Harris declined to comment specifically on current or future allocations of garda resources, citing “operational reasons”. However, he assured local representatives that the Cavan Community Engagement Functional Area is “well serviced” with personnel, including detectives, protective services, and armed support.

The Commissioner highlighted the ongoing implementation of the Garda Operating Model as a “key initiative”, stating that changes in resourcing and recruitment aim to provide improved policing services nationwide. He also insisted there is “no process” to try to downgrade garda stations in Cavan, although he acknowledged that “reallocation” may occasionally occur based on operational needs.

Comm Harris further stated that Cavan has a number of 24-hour garda stations and others with extended opening hours; and added that the local garda fleet is deemed “adequate” for the county’s policing needs.

However, Cllr Fay told the July meeting of Cavan County Council that the tone and content of the commissioner’s letter appears to contradict feedback he had himself received from gardaí working on the ground.

“The biggest problem we’ve got is resources being taken away from small rural stations to bigger towns,” he told the meeting.

Addressing Commissioner Harris’s optimistic assessment of the policing model- which saw Cavan and Monaghan merged administratively with Louth- Cllr Fay was clear in his criticism.

“I’ll say this: Members I’ve been talking with would have a very different view.”