Crime in Limerick is in danger of getting out of control due to Garda shortages, the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) said today.
In a statement issued after a meeting of the Limerick branch the AGSI called for a dramatic increase in Garda resources to help deal with the problem.
"Many members at the meeting complained that the crime scene in Limerick is now in danger of getting out of control - witness the mugging recently in broad daylight of Sabine Sheehan, a young lady who was attempting to portray a good image of the city," said AGSI General Secretary Mr George Maybury.
"It is clear that criminals in this city are aware of the Garda staff shortages and are taking full advantage".
The meeting heard that Limerick had the highest number of murders of any Garda division in 2001, more than inner-city Dublin
"Community gardaí are regularly diverted to escort work in Limerick which means that they cannot carry out their other valuable work in the community, work which is specially important in the Limerick context, " said Mr Maybury.
"A cycle patrol was promised for last September, but this has not yet materialised in spite of the fact that personnel were interviewed".
However, the Minister of State at the Department of Justice Mr Willie O'Dea rejected the AGSI claim and said resources were not the problem.
Speaking on RTÉ radio he said: "I don't think the use of that kind of emotional language from the AGSI is helping the situation."
He added: "The Garda force at its highest level in the history of the State."
In a statement the Labour Party's spokesperson on justice Mr Joe Costello said the Government had failed to live up to its promises to combat crim and to increase Garda numbers.
"Michael McDowell and his Fianna Fáil and PD colleagues campaigned during the last general election on a policy platform that included a pledge to recruit 2,000 additional gardaí.
"This has now ben quietly abandoned and the Minister for Finance has been allowed to place a cap of 12,500 on membership of the force", Mr Costello added.
