A Monaghan councillor has raised his concerns over the new operating model arrangements for local Gardaí that are due to come into effect. The new model will see Monaghan, Cavan and Louth become part of a new three-county Garda division.
Currently in Co Monaghan, there is a Superintendent stationed in North Monaghan while another is stationed in the Carrickmacross area.
According to Sinn Fein's Colm Carthy, the new model will see only one Superintendent over general policing for the county as a whole, whilst the Superintendent in Carrickmacross will be given more of "regional role" over the three-divisions in the future.
Speaking to Northern Sound, Deputy Carthy highlighted his "disappointment" over the new arrangement.
Cllr Carthy highlighted how the people of Carrickmacross and local businesses have always had a good working relationship with the current Superintendent and those in the role before him in terms of community policing and reporting directly to senior management. He added that such changes will only remove this direct link for the people of Carrickmacross.
"A lot of the focus will be on dealing with the high populated areas and the areas where there are already existing levels of certain types of crime," explained Cllr Carthy. "I feel, along with others, that the changes which have been made will dilute the services which have been made available to date in Co Monaghan. This coupled with the fact that we will no longer have our direct Superintendent for the Carrickmacross District will be a disadvantage going forward."
