Dunboyne Gardai Presence
Dunboyne Councillor Noel Leonard has made ongoing representations along with Meath East TD and Minister of State Mary Wallace to the Minister for Justice to commit more Garda patrol time in Dunboyne .
Cllr Leonard stated “The lack of a full-time Gardai presence in Dunboyne is becoming increasingly worrying for residents of Dunboyne. Just recently I received a number of complaints following the gathering of a group of young people in our public park over a number of nights consuming alcohol and damaging wheelie bins and mature trees by setting them alight to keep warm.
Minister of Justice Dermot Ahern recently informed Minister Wallace that the personnel strength of Dunboyne Garda Station on the 30th June 2008, the latest date for which figures are readily available, is 15. Dunboyne Garda Station forms part of the Ashbourne Garda District. The personnel strength of Ashbourne Garda District on 30th June, 2008 is 82.
An extension to the opening hours of Dunboyne Garda Station would necessitate the employment of additional Garda personnel on indoor administrative duties who may be more effectively employed on outdoor policing duties.
Dunboyne Garda Station is open to the public from 10am to 1pm Monday to Saturday and from 12pm to 1pm on Sunday. Opening hours are subject to manpower availability however, when not open Public access call box and call diversion to Ashbourne Garda Station are in place.
Minister Wallace stated “The level of Garda personnel assigned to the whole County, along with the overall policy arrangements and operational strategy are continually monitored and reviewed. I will continue to monitor developments in the coming months and throughout 2009 to ensure improved Gardai presence to the area”.
