Mayo councillors unhappy about policing forum delays

IT will soon be a year since councillors in Mayo got to formally discuss policing matters with An Garda Síochána in the county.

Joint Policing Committees ceased to operate after last May's local elections but their replacements - Community Safety Partnerships - are not yet up and running.

Councillors are not happy with the situation but they'll have to wait some more as guidance is still awaited before they can be established.

Councillor Michael Loftus raised his concerns at a meeting of the local authority, noting how they have not had an opportunity to question the gardaí on policing issues, such as enforcing the new 60kph speed limits.

In an update, director of services Joanne Grehan said interviews for a partnership chairperson took place in January and the name of the successful candidate has been sent to the minister for approval.

Two new staff members have also been recruited with the partnership.

Discussions are ongoing regarding regulations under the Act and further guidance and direction is awaited from the department.

Councillor Michael Kilcoyne suggested they write to the new Minister for Justice expressing their concerns and seeking a meeting to discuss it.

Crime is widespread, he commented, and drugs too. On some streets you'd get high walking up them.

Sometimes there is only one garda manning a station where there used to be three or four.

But these matters aren't being raised any more as there is no one to raise them with.