Minister invited to explain lack of policing forum in Mayo

THE Minister for Justice has been called to explain to councillors in Mayo why the county remains without a policing forum.

Community Safety Partnerships are being implemented to replace Joint Policing Committees (JPC), but a year on from the local elections and they're still not in place.

Councillor Michael Loftus has aired concern about not being able to discuss policing matters with the garda authorities.

Following a request he made, the Chief Superintendent has committed to attending the May meeting of the local authority. And Councillor Loftus has suggested that Minister Jim O'Callaghan should join him.

Councillor Loftus, at yesterday's meeting of the local authority, called for the JPCs to be reinstated, and he asked that the Justice Minister also be invited to their May meeting to explain what he proposes to do in relation to that.

The regulations aren't in place to establish a partnership, the Crossmolina member pointed out.

He also said how a study by University Limerick into partnership pilots found them to be ineffective, while the Garda Sergeants and Inspectors Association said the Future of Policing is not working, denuding the rural areas of gardaí.

The JPCs had worked well and having the policing committee in its previous form needed to be revisited, Councillor Damian Ryan agreed, endorsing the requested for the Chief Supt. and minister to attend their next meeting.

He also commented on the amalgamation of three counties - Mayo, Roscommon and Leitrim - in one district, saying it was 'ridiculous' and doesn't work.

Mayo, he said, is large enough to have its own garda division.

Councillor Michael Kilcoyne had a question for management: is it true that interviews took place for a chairperson for the new committees, but that decision has now been set aside, with committees to elected their own chairperson when they are established.

He wasn't blaming the council's chief executive, but it was an attempt by the department to stall matters, he said.

He was told the position was as outlined.