There is an “urgent need” to fill key leadership positions within the Garda, while senior management is placing “considerable focus” on building capacity to meet demand, Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan has told the Policing Authority.
The issue of adequate resourcing for the Garda has come to the fore following a spate of gangland killings in the capital. Four people have been shot dead in the Republic in six months since the murder of Gary Hutch in Marbella, Spain, last September.
Ms O’Sullivan made the comments in a meeting with the newly formed Policing Authority just five days after the funeral of taxi driver Eddie Hutch (58), who was shot dead by Christy Kinahan’s Spain-based drugs gang.
Longer-term resources
Ms O’Sullivan provided an outline to the Policing Authority of the level of resourcing involved in “policing the recent events linked to organised crime”, as well as the longer-term resources put in place to respond to the threat of organised crime.
According to the minutes for the meeting, which took place on February 24th, Ms O’Sullivan said there was a “careful balance” to be struck between protecting the public and not spreading fear, but that armed gardaí were “considered necessary” in this case.
In terms of resourcing, a number of areas were discussed, including training and the need to fill key leadership positions. The need to “civilianise” aspects of the force to free up Garda personnel was also flagged.
“The Garda Commissioner indicated that considerable focus is going into building up their capacity to meet training needs and demands,” said the minutes. “Particular areas of focus include investigative interview training, driver training and training on the needs of victims. The need for increased civilianisation in certain key areas such as HR, finance and business management has also been accepted.”
The minutes also indicated the Policing Authority would seek to advise the Minister for Justice in relation to Garda resourcing in future.
The Policing Authority will hold a public meeting with Ms O’Sullivan on April 25th.
