Report recommends Louth Garda Division separates from Cavan Monaghan

A report published this week by the Joint Committee on Justice has  recommended that the Operating Policing Model and that the ‘3 County Division’ of Louth, Cavan, Monaghan should be re-examined, with a view towards designating Louth as a separate district. 

The decision to merge the three districts went live on 3rd December last year despite strong opposition from local councillors and Joint Policing Committees with letters written to the garda commissioner expressing concern with the move and the breadth of the geographical area it would cover. 

The committee commented with reference to the Louth amalgamation that “In general, districts should be geographically manageable.”

It further said that witnesses brought before committee hearings were critical of the Operating Policing Model, which they said has resulted in a less visible Garda presence. 

“Witnesses highlighted that as part of this model, there remain two ‘3 County Divisions’ of Mayo, Roscommon, Longford and Louth, Cavan Monaghan respectively. 

“It was argued that it would be better for Louth and Mayo to be designated as separate districts, as these areas have distinct policing needs and issues that would not be comparable to the other counties in their division. 

“Witnesses highlighted that while ‘3 county divisions’ had stemmed from a recommendation within the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland (COFPI) report, they believed that Irish society had changed since the report was published in 2018 and that the 3-country division should be revised.”

The committee also claimed that in their view garda management are increasingly developing modes of avoiding responsibility by delegating responsibilities downwards and avoiding decision making. 

The report noted that the AGSI believe that “this can be clearly identified in the new Operating Model where much managerial responsibilities continues to be devolved from Superintendent to Inspector ranks, with little or no consideration for their current rank and role responsibilities. 

“The Association has been firm in its view that the Operating Policing Model is not suitable as a singular model for Policing in Urban and Rural Ireland. 

“It has created a less ‘visible’ Garda presence with the Public frequently commenting on the fact that they rarely see Gardai walking the beat.

“Recent reviews by Garda Management have recognised that the ‘3 County’ Model did not work and changed some Divisions accordingly.

“However, Mayo, Roscommon, Longford, along with Louth, Cavan Monaghan remain as ‘3 County’ Divisions, something which AGSI feels should be revisited as a matter of urgency.”