Mail to: simon.harris@oireachtas.ie
Date: 02/05/2023
Dear Minister Harris,
I am writing to you today to express my deep concerns about the current state of under-policing in the Irish State. As highlighted in many recent news articles, Ireland has one of the lowest ratios of police officers per capita in Europe. This is leading to significant challenges in maintaining public safety and tackling crime in our communities.
As you are aware, the Gardaí have been removed from normal policing duties to provide protection and drive ministers, such as yourself, further exacerbating the shortage of officers on the streets. This has put a strain on the resources of the police force, making it even more difficult to maintain law and order in the country.
The shortage of Gardai has resulted in a lack of resources for policing the state and communities, which is leading to crime not being reported, and as a result, statistics are being skewed. This is deeply concerning, as people in the community are living in fear of becoming victims of crime, with no recourse for justice.
Therefore, I strongly urge you to consider utilising the army personnel to provide additional support to the Gardaí. The Criminal Law Act of 1976, specifically Section 15, grants powers to the Defence Forces to arrest individuals in certain circumstances. While the deployment of army personnel in a policing capacity is not without its challenges, I believe it is necessary to explore all possible options to ensure the safety and security of the citizens of Ireland.
I ask that you take this matter seriously and take all necessary steps to provide adequate resources for the Gardaí. The current situation is unacceptable, and the safety of our communities should be of the utmost priority. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Ian Croft
CC: Garda Commissioner Drew Harris (commissioner@garda.ie)