Almost 22 Gardai stationed in Longford town are absent from duty due to secondment, injury, sickness or restricted tasks.
That's according to Deputy Joe Flaherty who says the station is now struggling to operate.
During topical questions in the Dail last night Fianna Fail TD Joe Flaherty called for additional Garda resources for Longford town in an effort to tackle ongoing feuds.
Under Operation Stola, a mission set up in 2019 and designed to target feuds within the town, 6761 incidents have been associated with the operation, 206 arrests have been made and 454 charges have been preferred, 54 of which relate to either assaults, violent disorder incidents or knife crimes.
Deputy Flaherty stated an additional 5 to 6 experienced Gardai from Dublin along with a strict governing of bail conditions are required to tackle the issue at hand.
''One would expect an additional five to six officers for Longford that in turn presents us with an opportunity to bring in experienced officers, several of whom are based presently in Dublin are very adept at dealing with issues and challenges that now confront Longford. We need visible on street policing. And we need a meticulous governing of the bail conditions within love for town.''
In response to Deputy Flaherty on behalf of Minister McEntee, Minister of State Frank Feighan stated Garda resources are an operational matter and it's at the discretion of the Garda commissioner.
Minister Feighan stated its important people feel safe in their communities and commended the dedication of An Garda Siochana for the work carried out to date.]
