Carlow seems like 'the poor relation' of Kilkenny in relation to Garda resources, says TD

Carlow seems to be 'the poor relation' of both Kilkenny and Waterford when it comes to Garda resources, according to Carlow-Kilkenny TD, Jennifer Murnane O'Connor.

Speaking in the Dáil on Wednesday, O'Connor stated that she is 'very concerned about the way things are being centralised'.

"In December 2022, Carlow had 108 gardaí, which is not enough. Carlow seems to be the poor relation again of Kilkenny and Waterford. We need more Gardaí," she said.

O'Connor told elected members that when she went to the Garda station in Carlow recently, she 'was very surprised to see at the back of the station a prefab that is not fit for purpose but is being used as offices'. 

"In the 2016 programme for Government it was committed to reopen a rural Garda station in Leighlinbridge, County Carlow. Nearly seven years on, this has not been done. A commitment was given to reopen it," she added.

"It is a small rural Garda station to be manned by one or two Gardaí. It is really needed. I am looking for a timescale. I am worn out going to the OPW and to the Department on this."

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar thanked Deputy O'Connor for raising the issue and stated that he will ask the Minister, Deputy Harris, to contact the Deputy directly in relation to the station in Leighlinbridge.

"Certainly, when it comes to personnel, it is the Garda Commissioner who decides how gardaí are best allocated to national units and to different services around the country," Varadkar said.

"There is, obviously, a strong political role by the OPW and the Minister, Deputy Harris, when it comes to the infrastructure in the stations themselves. I will ask them to engage to see if we can get some progress on it."