Tipperary TD and leader of the Rural Independent Group, Mattie McGrath, has accused the Justice Minister and the Garda Commissioner of neglecting the escalating drug crime epidemic.
Deputy McGrath also claims that the new Garda roster risks endangering every community as it may result in the Tipperary Garda Drugs Squad being disbanded.
Deputy McGrath is expressing surprise that the Justice Minister Helen McEntee has “absolute confidence” in Commissioner Drew Harris.
Deputy McGrath considers that the Commissioner has lost the trust of the wider police force especially in respect of new Garda rosters. The new roster is to come into effect on November 6th .
The current four days on four days off 12-hour shift rotation for Gardaí will be changed to a six days on four days off 10-hour shift roster.
Deputy McGrath notes that county Tipperary has experienced the loss of more than 32 Garda since the Justice Minister took office and says towns like Clonmel, Cahir, and Carrick-on-Suir are facing catastrophic drops in personnel due to what he terms “government neglect” and the new roster plan.
Deputy McGrath is calling on the Garda Commissioner to resign and wants the Government to offer retiring Garda the option to extend their service for five years.
