“Dublin Metropolitan Region North is to receive twelve new Garda vehicles in total during the course of 2015 to boost the fight against crime. Nine of these vehicles are already in action”, says Fine Gael TD for Dublin Fingal, Alan Farrell.
“New Garda vehicles will greatly support the fight against crime in local communities throughout the Dublin Metropolitan Region North, which includes Dublin Fingal. Furthermore, new legislation planned by the Minister for Justice, Frances Fitzgerald, will also keep repeat offenders in prison for longer and act as a significant deterrent.
“Providing resources for Gardaí and ensuring that legislation is in place to deter repeat offenders is essential to preventing crime in both rural and urban communities.
“In addition to the new vehicles for 2015, €27.5 million was invested in new Garda vehicles between 2012 and 2014, which was an increase on the €4.8 million allocated by the previous Government in Budgets 2009-2011.
“This Government is also strengthening An Garda Síochána for the future by reopening the Garda training college in Templemore and recruiting 550 new Gardaí. The first intake of 100 new recruits entered Templemore in September 2014 and passed out in April of this year. A further 200 recruits entered in December 2014 and February 2015, with 250 more expected to begin training later this year. When Fianna Fáil closed Templemore it was a major blow to An Garda Síochána and to communities in the North County and throughout the country.
“Our local Gardaí will be bolstered by this influx of new vehicles and Gardaí, which is part of the Government’s comprehensive plan to fight crime.”