More gardaí needed to deter open drug dealing

Drug dealing is taking place openly in the centre of Monaghan Town, Cllr Alan Johnston (FG) claimed at Monday’s meeting of the Monaghan Municipal District.

Proposing that the MD renew its request for more gardaí to be deployed on patrol in the town, Cllr Johnston said the area around the Diamond was of particular concern, where loud music, open drug dealing and the public consumption of alcohol was prevalent, with “perpetrators acting with seeming impunity”.

The proposal was seconded by Cathaoirleach Seamus Treanor (Ind) and agreed unanimously.

The MD wrote previously to the Garda Commissioner seeking more Garda deployment in the town. Correspondence from the Commissioner’s office before Monday’s meeting said that the request has been forwarded to the office of the Assistant Commissioner for the North Western Region for their consideration.

Cllr Seán Conlon (SF), also referring to complaints of anti-social behaviour in the town centre, said that more gardaí on the beat can monitor and dissuade this behaviour and also address the continued violation by some HGV drivers of the bye-laws prohibiting their access to certain streets.

Cllr Conlon said this was a recurring issue in the Dublin Street area.

“More gardaí on patrol will serve more than just one purpose in improving our urban streetscape,” he added.