Mayo left without a garda chief superintendent for the first time

A MEMBER of the Mayo Joint Policing Committee has expressed disappointment over the county's loss of the post of chief garda superintendent for the first time since the foundation of the State.

It follows the retirement yesterday of Chief Superintendant Tony Healy.

Councillor Michael Loftus said efforts to delay his retirement date for two years had been turned down by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris.

The Crossmolina-based representative said: “Justice Minister Heather Humphreys had indicated her willingness in Dáil Éireann to granting the extension after pressure from the four Mayo TD – but it required the approval of the commissioner.

“This will be the first time since the foundation of the State Mayo won't have a Chief Supt. for the county.

“Mayo is to be joined with Roscommon and Longford Division as a garda divisions. There are only five superintendents covering this wide area, four from Mayo.

“We are also in danger of losing our Joint Policing Committee in two years with the introduction of the new Community Safety Partnership.

“I believe this is going to have a massive effect on the policing policy for Mayo.”