Garda Sergeant appointed to Athboy
A new garda sergeant has been appointed to Athboy Garda Station, with duties due to commence from Monday.
Fianna Fáil TD for Meath West, Aisling Dempsey has welcomed the confirmation and said it would bring huge reassurance to many across the Athboy area. She said details of opening hours and station activity are yet to be agreed, and that she and local Cllr Mike Bray, will be seeking to ensure the station opens regularly, with an increased Garda presence on local streets.
"This announcement will bring huge reassurance to many across the Athboy area. There have been a number of crimes, most notably burglary and vandalism, in recent months that have greatly concerned people locally.
“In response, I have been working with the Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan, and engaging with senior Gardaí in Navan to outline the situation on the ground. We stressed the importance of reopening Garda stations across Meath West, including Athboy. Following this engagement, I am delighted to see the appointment of a sergeant in Athboy and the increase of patrols in the area.
“Crime figures are down year to date, with property crime down three per cent and residential burglary down 29 per cent and Garda recruitment and retention is on the increase and will continue upward. This is positive progress and this announcement should add further reassurance.”
Deputy Dempsey said that the appointment of the new sergeant should allow Athboy Garda Station to reopen, ending the current reliance on stations such as Kells and Trim as the nearest fully manned locations where all calls are directed and routine matters, including the signing of official documents, must be handled.
“The reopening of the station is long overdue and today's news marks real progress. My focus now is on securing additional civilian Garda staff, particularly in Athboy, so Gardaí can focus on being visible on our streets and tackling crime at its core.
“This is something I have raised with the Minister, and I will continue to engage with him and his department in the coming months to make the case for further resources.”
Cllr Mike Bray added: “This is a matter I have raised with Deputy Dempsey and directly with the Minister many times. Athboy deserves its own sergeant again and for the Garda Station to be re-opened. I look forward to meeting with the sergeant and outlining to him the issues we face in Athboy. Garda presence on our streets is really important to the town.”
Deputy Dempsey concluded by saying she will emphasise to the sergeant the importance of agreeing opening hours and will communicate the new arrangements for the Garda Station.