McHugh highlights need for greater Garda resources in villages close to Derry in submission to 2010 Donegal Policing Plan

Local TD Joe McHugh has reiterated his belief that greater Garda resources should be allocated to the Donegal villages and towns that are located close to Derry and Strabane.

In a written submission to the Donegal 2010 Policing Plan, Deputy McHugh notes that the Department of Justice’s allocation of Gardaí does not take population spread on the other side of the Border into account, and he comments that this exposes parts of east Donegal that are not sufficiently policed.

Deputy McHugh writes:

‘The distribution of Garda resources in Co. Donegal ought to take cognisance of Donegal's proximity to densely populated areas on the other side of the Border. There are insufficient Garda officers in Newtowncunningham, Carrigans, Muff, in Burnfoot (regular unit), and there is no Garda Station in Killea.

‘These villages and communities surround Derry City, which is the 4th largest city on this island. Garda resources in Raphoe, Killygordon, St. Johnston, and Lifford are also insufficient’.

Deputy McHugh’s submission compares Garda numbers in Derry City’s Donegal hinterland with Garda numbers in the towns and villages to the east of Cork City. Garda resources in Glanmire (East Cork) and in other Cork towns are significantly greater than Garda resources in East Donegal.

The Fine Gael TD notes that he is not calling for greater policing of the Border, saying, ‘this argument is distinct from the argument for greater policing of the Border (an argument with which I disagree). I refer only to the need to police Border areas that are close to densely populated parts of the North.’

Mr. McHugh’s submission also calls for greater visible presence of Gardaí in the community, and for longer opening hours of rural Garda Stations. The Fine Gael TD suggests that Garda officers should be incentivised to live in the communities which they serve.

Deputy McHugh also comments on the sad deaths of Gda. Robbie McCallion (Letterkenny) and Gda. Gary McLoughlin (Buncrana) in the line of duty in Co. Donegal in 2009.