The announcement that 25 additional Gardai will be stationed in Drogheda, County Louth, has been welcomed by the Garda Representative Association (GRA).
GRA Louth representative, Garda Derek O’Donoghue, said yesterday evening: “This measure is welcome and appreciated. It will help the policing requirements in Drogheda.”
The move was also welcomed by Louth deputy Fergus O’Dowd who said, the 25 Gardai, “will be of immense help in ending the criminal feud in the town.”
“Those involved will be brought to justice by An Garda Siochána and held to account. Make no mistake about that,” he said.
“I’m relieved and delighted that the Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and his team have made the key decision in the fight against organised criminality in the town of Drogheda.
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He also said the Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan has told him, “an Emergency Response Unit will also be on the ground in Drogheda to focus their resources on ending this unacceptable and vicious feud.”
Deputy O’Dowd also said, “I have been assured that the armed support unit are active and covert intelligence officers are gathering information on the ground as we speak."
The additional Gardai were also welcomed by retired Detective Garda Richie Culhane, now a councillor in Drogheda.
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He said, “I am delighted 25 Gardai are to be allocated to deal with the upsurge in feud related violence.”
“When I spoke to Minister Charlie Flanagan, I impressed the absolute urgent need to have the current force supplemented with new members if this feud is not to be allowed to escalate further,” he added.
