Councillors voice anger over failure to tackle local crime 

Members of Mayo County Council want a meeting with the Minister for Justice to resolve the impasse over the county's Joint Policing Committee (JPC), which has not been replaced since it ceased meetings almost a year ago.

Crossmolina-based Cllr Michael Loftus was sharply critical of the council at last week's meeting over its failure to set up a promised strategic partnership group to replace the JPC, which met once a month and facilitated the exchange of views between councillors and senior Gardaí in a public forum.tack

“We are 11 months now without a JPC in this county. Why is the partnership not put in place? We had 19 fatalities on our roads last year, so far this year there are two, but we have no forum to discuss these matters with the Gardaí.” 

Director of Services Joanne Grehan explained that 14 interviews took place throughout January for the position of chair of the Community Safety Partnership, a successful candidate was chosen and the recommendation for approval has gone to the Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan. Ms Grehan two new staff members, who will work on the partnership, had joined the council, but discussion were still ongoing with the relevant authorities about various regulations under the legislation that established the partnerships.

“Ultimately, we are awaiting further guidance and direction from the Department.” 

An unimpressed Cllr Loftus retorted: “This is just typical of the cart before the horse. If we can’t make representations to this new body on behalf of the people it is just crazy. Here they are saying now they haven’t fully agreed on what’s being done, yet we are a full 11 months since the last JPC. 

“We as a council from day one never wanted this new structure put in place. In the meantime, you are bringing out regulations on new speed limits and we have not had the opportunity to discuss this with the Gardaí. 

"The Department was so adamant that they have these new partnerships and three have been set up in Dublin and they tell me they are not working, even the chair in Dublin resigned. The JPC I was involved in since 2014 was the most progressive body and did fantastic things. This all needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.” 

Cllr Michael Kilcoyne supported Cllr Loftus, saying: “I propose we write to the new Minister for Justice expressing our serious concerns over this and asking to discuss it because the whole place is crumbling down. 

"Crime is widespread, speeding is widespread, sometimes there is only one garda in a station where there used to be three or four and there are drugs everywhere. On some streets, you get high just walking along them and nothing is being done about it. 

"These matters were all raised before at JPC meetings but not anymore because now we have nobody to raise them with or to do anything about it.” 

Cllr Damian Ryan seconded the proposal to call on the Minister for a meeting and this was agreed by members.