Policing committee to meet in Bettystown

A PUBLIC meeting of the County Meath Joint Policing Committee will take place in the Village Hotel, Bettystown, on Thursday 21st September at 7pm.

The Meath Joint Policing Committee includes members of Meath Co Council, Oireachtas members, garda representatives, community representatives and officials from Meath County Council.

It is a forum for consultations, discussions and recommendations on matters affecting the policing of the Council's administrative area.

Meetings generally take place quarterly with a public meeting held once a year. Last year's public meeting took place in Ratoath while this year's will be in Laytown-Bettystown Municipal District and takes place in the Village Hotel.

Among the topics expected to be discussed are what progress has been made in advancing the new purpose built garda station for Laytown and what progress on the proposed boundary realignment.

Parts of East Meath were traditionally policed from Drogheda but moved back into Meath with the creation of the Laytown Garda District. This was later amalgamated with Ashbourne meaning the district stretched from Kilcock to the edge of Drogheda. It is expected when the new boundary is announced that the parts of south Drogheda that are in Co Meath will be moved to the Drogheda Garda District. This is likely to include estates like Grange Rath and Deepford

The need for additional garda resources in Meath to serve the growing population is also expected to be discussed with Navan in particular in need of a boost in garda numbers. Anti-social behaviour is also an ongoing problem in areas around the county and is also likely to be discussed.

Members of the public are entitled to attend the Meath JPC meeting on 21st September, to have their views heard and to put questions to the committee.

Meath JPC is asking those with questions to submit them in advance so that a full response can be prepared. Questions will be accepted up to 5pm on Wednesday, 13th September and can be made in writing to JPC Community Department, Buvinda House, Navan or by email to jpc@meathcoco.ie.

While questions can be taken on the evening, full information may not be available for an answer.