‘We need more boots on the ground’

Independent councillor Brendan Fay has called for an urgent overhaul of policing structures in Cavan, warning that rural communities, particularly in the west of the county, risk being left behind.

“We need more boots on the ground,” Cllr Fay told the October meeting of Cavan County Council, calling on Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan and Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly to review local Garda numbers, station coverage and operational resources.

He believes Cavan has become the “poor relation” under current divisional arrangements, which see the county grouped with Louth and Monaghan, and is not receiving the resources needed to protect its towns, villages and isolated rural communities.

Cllr Fay proposed three dedicated Garda districts centred on Ballyconnell, Cavan Town and Bailieborough, alongside improved staffing and 24-hour policing arrangements.

“We are a large rural county, with towns, villages and isolated communities spread across a considerable area. Distance and availability matter when a Garda resource is required,” he said.

While welcoming new gardaí in Belturbet and the reopening of stations in Killeshandra and Kilnaleck, he expressed concern about reduced Garda presence in Blacklion and Dowra and the lack of a Garda presence in Swanlinbar.

“I want to see that investment in local policing continue, not go backwards,” he said.

His proposals include securing a fair share of the planned national expansion of Garda numbers, extending high-visibility patrols into smaller towns and villages, and establishing a dedicated, properly resourced drugs and crime task unit for Cavan.

He also called for more community gardaí, additional detectives and a review of Garda vehicles and equipment, stressing the importance of reliable transport across the county’s extensive rural road network.

“This motion is not about criticising individual gardaí. It is about making sure they have the numbers, equipment and support they need to do their jobs,” he said.

Cllr Fay asked the council to seek a formal response from the Minister and Garda Commissioner.

Cathaoirleach Carmel Brady welcomed proposed investment in local policing, while Fianna Fáil councillor John Paul Feeley, chair of the Local Community Safety Partnership, said everyone had a role in protecting their communities.

Cllr Feeley did not support reopening Blacklion station on a 24-hour basis, saying it evoked a difficult period along the border, but acknowledged that local stations could always benefit from “more gardaí”.

He said Garda recruitment numbers had increased this year and expressed confidence that they would “continue to rise”.

He also reminded the public to call 999 in a policing emergency.