Chief Supt unable to 'hand out guards like confetti'
There are calls for additional Garda resources in the Ballinrobe area.
The Chief Superintendent of the Mayo Garda Division has said he cannot "hand out guards like confetti" after a plea for more resources.
A meeting of the Mayo Joint Policing Committee was told that Ballinrobe requires additional Garda resources.
Cllr Damien Ryan called for a full-time detective to be assigned to the area.
Chief Supt McMahon said criminal issues that occurred in the Ballinrobe area have been addressed following a major operation.
“I constantly monitor resources. In relation to the detective, we are in a position here in Mayo where manpower levels have dropped by roughly around 8% over the last year. Recruitment has started to come on and I hope that will replenish. Every councillor and every person I speak to will want extra people, extra in roads policing, detectives and extra guards everywhere. I can’t just hand out guards like confetti, I don’t have them. I have to manage things how I see fit.
"I can’t promise you a detective in Ballinrobe. I will have to look at that. We will continue to supply guards to Ballinrobe to address the issues that are there,” he added.
Cllr Christy Hyland contended that Mayo failed to get a single Garda from the latest Templemore allocation.
“You are not getting them from Templemore,” he said.
