Wicklow East Sinn Féin Local Election candidate Abbie O’Loughlin has expressed concern at reports of increased crime in the Tinakilly Park area of Rathnew following a spate of attempted break-ins of cars in the area. She described the development as particularly disturbing given the ongoing and worrying trend in the fall in Garda numbers across county Wicklow over the last five years, despite a corresponding population growth, which has resulted in huge housing developments such as Tinakilly Park.
O’Loughlin said:
“There is a real concern in the Tinakilly Park and wider Rathnew area around a spate of attempted break-ins into cars there. It has been alleged that the break-ins are being carried out by gangs of teenagers travelling down from Dublin. Which a visible Garda presence would help deter.
The reality is that Garda numbers in Wicklow have fallen significantly over the last number of years. I am particularly concerned at the fact that Garda numbers in Wicklow had fallen 14% between 2019 and 2023.
Even in the period from 2022 to March 2024 there are now 19 less Gardaí in the county.
The reality is that Wicklow is that the population of Wicklow has increased significantly in recent years. The last census indicated a population growth of 9%, which has arguably increased in the interim period.
This population growth has led to huge housing developments in Rathnew and other areas, and local resources such as Garda numbers have not kept pace with this development. The increased incidents of crime in the area are a direct result of government failure, a failure that local people are experiencing as an increase in theft, and cars being broken into.
We now have a new Wicklow Taoiseach, who as Minister for Justice did nothing to reverse the fall in Garda numbers in Wicklow. He now needs to stand up and deliver for areas like Tinakilly Park and the wider area around Rathnew.”
Wicklow Sinn Féin TD John Brady said:
“I have challenged Simon Harris on his failure to address the issue of Garda numbers in Wicklow, but my protests have fallen on deaf ears. I want to join my colleagues Abbie O’Loughlin, and Anthony Hill in calling on Taoiseach Simon Harris to stand up for Wicklow and deliver on the issue of community safety for Tinakilly Park and Rathnew.
Anthony Hill, who is also a Sinn Féin candidate in Wicklow East for the local elections said:
“Taoiseach Simon Harris made much of the record of Fine Gael, when he was trumpeting the issue of law and order at the Fine Gael Ard Fheis – well the clock is ticking for the Taoiseach in terms of his delivery on the issue of community safety and Garda numbers here in own home county – Tik Tok”