L-R Supt. Eddie Golden based in Thurles, Chief Supt. Colm O’Sullivan based in Ennis, Supt Ollie Baker based in Nenagh, Supt Kieran Ruane based in Clonmel.
There was sharp criticism of the reforms in policing structures in Tipperary at yesterday’s meeting of the Joint Policing Committee for the county.
Public representatives pointed out to Chief Superintendent Colm O’Sullivan that the public and members of the force are very concerned about the changes and the impacts of a new roster for Garda due to commence in November. Cllr Noel Coonan who chairs the Tipperary Joint Policing Committee put it to the Chief Superintendent that the force was in an “awful state” given a ballot of members of the Garda Representative Association where 99% voted no confidence in Commissioner Drew Harris.
Chief Superintendent Colm O’Sullivan who presides over the Tipperary Clare Division from Ennis rejected the concerns and says the new structures were approved by the Oireachtas and have worked in other parts of the country. Tipperary TD Mattie McGrath and councillors Ger Darcy, Fiona Bonfield and Hughie McGrath all expressed concerns for public safety. Cllr Anne Marie Ryan was informed that the number of roadside checkpoints on drivers for intoxicants was down due to inadequate staffing resources.
The Chief Superintendent and the three Superintendents with responsibility for three geographic areas in the county attended today’s meeting- Eddie Golden, Ollie Baker and Kieran Ruane. These officers are supported by two other Superintendents in the county who have responsibility for Governance/Discipline issues (Conor Dillon) and Crime Investigation( James Tierney). The new model is intended to enable the three Superintendents – based in Clonmel, Thurles and Nenagh to focus on Community Engagement.
