New Meath garda chief sets out policing priorities ahead of posting

The new Chief Superintendent for the Meath Garda Division, Aidan Glacken, who takes up his new post on Friday, has said he is looking forward to the challenge of overseeing his new division. Chief Supt Glacken's appointment fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Chief Supt Padraig Rattigan earlier this year. "I am looking forward to taking up the position in Meath. There are many challenges here. I am familiar with the personnel and have been briefed by my predecessors, but I am coming here with an open agenda," he said. The new Chief Supt said what was important to him was that the people of Meath receive the policing service they are entitled to and that it meets the needs and requirements of the victims of crimes and injustice. He said he is determined to conduct the business of the gardai in a transparent manner and ensure that taxpayers get value for money. Chief Supt Glacken said that because of its proximity to Dublin, Meath has been a target for burglaries and he will pay particular attention to crime, safety on the roads and public order. He acknowledged that the division had lost personnel because of recent retirements, but said that, across the public service, people were taking redundancies and An Garda Siochana was a resilient organisation. "In my 29 years as a garda, the organisation has responded well to challenges and we are equal to the current challenges," he said. "We live in a democratic society and I am proud of the fact that we are an unarmed organisation. We police with the consent and co-operation of the public. "Public confidence is very important and so is a visible garda presence, although it is not possible to have a garda on every street corner. We work hand-in-hand with the public and we are very much dependent on assistance from the public," he said. The new chief superintendant is a native of Sligo and lives in Longford, where he was a detective-sergeant from 1992 to 1999. He is coming to Meath from Athlone, where he was Superintendent, and prior to that he worked in the Regional Commissioner's office in Mullingar, where he was involved in operational planning. He joined the force in 1983 and was initially stationed in Longford, where he still lives with his wife and children. He also served for a period in Donegal. Chief Supt Pat McGee of the Louth Garda Division has had responsibility for the Meath division since the retirement of Chief Supt Rattigan.