Local rep says he’s never seen gardaí on the street in this Kildare area

A Kildare county councillor has said that he's never seen gardaí "going around on the street" in Derrinturn.

Fine Gael Cllr Brendan Wyse made the comments at the latest Clane-Maynooth Municipal District (MD) meeting, which was held on Friday, April 4 last.

He made the comments in relation to a motion put forward by the Cathaoirleach of the MD, Fianna Fáil Cllr Daragh Fitzpatrick.

At the meeting, Cllr Fitzpatrick urged Kildare County Council (KCC) to "write to the Garda Commissioner and Minister for Justice requesting an increased garda presence in Derrinturn".

His motion was seconded by Cllr Wyse.

In response, KCC told Cllr Fitzpatrick via its report that this would be a matter for the members to agree upon.

Speaking directly to the members, Cllr Wyse remarked that Derrinturn has become a "hotspot" for crime in recent years.

He also commended the work of local gardaí in the area, and in particular mentioned that they had carried out a number of "significant arrests" in the area.

However, Cllr Wyse maintained that a larger garda presence is needed in Derrinturn: "I've never seen gardaí going around on the street in Derrinturn."

Cllr Wyse also mentioned that the local representatives of the MD used to regularly used to speak with the local Garda Superintendent — "we don't have that link anymore," he added.

Cllr Fitzpatrick then said that he agreed with Cllr Wyse's comments, as did Fine Gael Cllr Tim Durkan, with the latter also suggesting: "Could we also reconnect with the Supt on an ad-hoc basis?"

In addition, Cllr Durkan pointed to an increase of car theft crimes across County Kildare, as recorded by the Central Statistics Office.

Another local representative at the meeting, Fine Gael Cllr William Durkan, voiced his view that a lack of consultation with gardaí in Derrinturn is "problematic, especially as Derrinturn is a special case here".

Cllrs Daragh Fitzpatrick (LEFT), who submitted the motion, and Cllr Brendan Wyse (RIGHT), who expressed his concerns about an alleged lack of gardaí on the streets in Derrinturn. File photographs.

Social Democrats Cllr Paula Mulroe also chimed in to commend the work of local community workers in the region, whom she said are doing their best in spite of "very, very, difficult circumstances".

Following this, Independent Cllr Pádraig McEvoy said: "It is very difficult to establish trust with An Garda Síochana if there is no familiarity between gardaí and the community."

A KCC official present at the meeting told the councillors in attendance that she has written to local gardaí and that they "would be happy" to have informal meetings with the local representatives of the MD.

They also echoed the comments made by Cllr William Durkan: "Derrinturn warrants special attention."

The KCC official added that they aim to have meetings with the gardaí twice a year in the future — "we are trying to tie it in to the MD meetings," she said.

A separate representative of KCC then told the members that they would have to agree upon the specific contents of the letter before it was sent. This was subsequently agreed upon by the members.

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