Waterford town to see more gardaí on the street this Christmas
Photo: Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie
More gardaí are to be deployed in Dungarvan and Abbeyside in the run-up to Christmas.
That is according to Superintendent Laurence Sheahan of the Waterford County Community Engagement area based at Dungarvan Garda Station, in response to a letter from the Dungarvan-Lismore District Council in October.
Elected members of the council requested that officials write to An Garda Siochana regarding their concerns about anti-social behaviour and e-scooters in West Waterford.
The superintendent wrote back to the council, saying they are taking both matters seriously.
“I and An Garda Siochána take a strong view on dealing with anti-social behaviour within our community.
“Each call for service is carefully dispatched and actioned to the appropriate members.
Members, when on patrol, are diligent in seeking out incidents of anti-social behaviour.
Each case is discussed at my daily meeting with my sergeants and inspectors, said Supt. Sheahan.
The superintendent said that additional gardaí would be deployed in Dungarvan and Abbeyside in the run-up to Christmas and the New Year to manage commercial and nighttime activities.
He said the gardaí have a good relationship with local businesses, and the CCTV network helps them identify possible suspects of crime.
In relation to e-scooters, Supt Sheahan said that his members need to be trained in the new legislation and that a new testing device has been made available to them.
With regards to e-scooters, this is a new piece of legislation which my members must be trained in.
“There is a vast array if e-scooters on the market at present. Many require technical data in order to bring a prosecution.
“At present, a number of e-scooters have been seized and prosecutions are pending in some of these cases,” said Supt Sheahan.
