'No need for Johnstown garda station' despite presence of city criminals

Garda detectives are keeping a close eye on Dublin criminals who are renting properties in Johnstown, a meeting of Navan Town Council heard last week. In a letter to the council on the issue of policing in Johnstown, Supt Michael Devine said the local detective unit patrols the area, probably more than any other area. This is due to "criminal elements", particularly from Dublin, who rent properties in Johnstown. Supt Devine, who said there was no need for a garda station in Johnstown now or in the future, also wrote: "We also have people being re-housed from Dublin who have contributed to a significant upsurge in crime in the area. However, these issues are dealt with efficiently and effectively with the same level of attention as all other areas in this district." The local superintendant said gardai were currently examining the possibility of having clinics in Johnstown Shopping Centre for a few hours each week. "We have found this useful in Clogherboy/Townspark in the past. This idea is subject to getting a suitable facility and would provide an option for people who might find it difficult to get to the garda station for completion of forms or indeed advice from the gardai," he said. The superinendant also told of checkpoints and speed checks which are carried out on a regular basis in the Johnstown area. He said that while the age profile in Johnstown is young, leading to a lot of young people hanging around in various parts of the estates and the town centre, "by and large, they are well-conducted with the odd exception, which iscommon in all areas of the country." He added: "We have a very useful relationship with the community in Johnstown and our efforts at interacting with them are widely acknowledged "Johnstown is well-policed, allowing for the current and foreseeable strength of Navan Garda station. I see no need for a garda station in Johnstown now or in the future. If and when additional resources become available, then obviously, it would be possible to have a more regular presence in the Johnstown area, as indeed it would in all other parts of the district." Supt Devine explained that Johnstown was policed from Navan by regular patrols in the district patrol car, mountain bike patrols and, when possible, foot patrols. He said two community gardai are engaged full-time in the Johnstown area and have been instrumental in setting up extremely active and vibrant Neighbourhood Watch schemes. Cllr Joe Reilly said he disagreed with Supt Devine. "Johnstown has a population of nearly 10,000. We are not seeking a 24-hour station but one that opens a number of hours a day," he said. Cllr Shane Cassells said it was important that the State strengthens the garda resources in the town and expressed concern at reductions elsewhere.