Commissioner Murphy has also announced that the new Louth Division will be included in the Northern Region.
The Garda Commissioner, Fachtna Murphy has announced that the new divisions of Louth and Meath will be established on 30 June 2008 replacing the current Louth/Meath Division.
Commissioner Murphy has also announced that the new Louth Division will be included in the Northern Region. This move aligns the border of the Northern Region with the Northern Ireland border.
The Commissioner said: "One Assistant Commissioner will now have responsibility for the entire Border area facilitating more streamlined communications with our colleagues in Northern Ireland. This will further enhance the strong cooperation that already exists between our two police services as we work together to protect our communities."
The establishment of the new divisions of Louth and Meath builds on the earlier establishment of new divisions in Wexford and Wicklow in early June and marks progress in the implementation of the Policing Plan 2008.
In announcing the changes the Commissioner said: "The realignment of divisional boundaries is one part of an ambitious programme to ensure that we are delivering an efficient and professional 21st century policing service which meets the needs of the community we serve. The purpose of this project is to bring the Garda divisions into line with local authority boundaries so that we can work more effectively with joint policing committees."
Referring to the various communications initiatives in place in the affected divisions which are designed to keep the public, local business, elected representatives and local authorities aware of the changes to the boundaries in their area, the Commissioner stressed the importance of partnership with the community and highlighted a strong commitment to consultation about the changes. He said: "My focus is on the quality and level of service we can provide to the community. The more we work together with the community, the better we can be at responding to their needs and solving their problems. Their needs are our priorities and the new structures will enhance our capacity to respond to their concerns and build strong partnerships in local areas."
Under the new arrangements, the office of the Chief Superintendent for Louth (Chief Superintendent Patrick Mc Gee) will continue to be in Drogheda with Superintendents’ Offices in Drogheda and Dundalk.
The office of the Chief Superintendent for Meath (Chief Superintendent Pádraig Rattigan) will be at Athlumney House, Johnstown, Navan with Superintendents’ Offices in Navan Garda Station, Ashbourne, Trim and Kells.
• The Garda Síochána Policing Plan 2008 outlines the Garda Commissioner’s plans to change Regional and Divisional boundaries to realign Garda geographical areas with local authority boundaries.
• The overall initiative is managed by a Programme Board which is chaired by an Assistant Commissioner from Garda Headquarters.
• The changes will not impact on every division but in areas where new divisions are being created the local Chief Superintendent has established local project boards to lead the change. The boards include local district officers, representative associations and civilian staff.
• Areas where project boards have been established include, Meath, Wicklow, Kildare, Waterford/Kilkenny, Wexford, Carlow/Kildare, Longford/Westmeath, Cavan/ Monaghan, Louth, Cork North, Roscommon/Galway East, Sligo and Galway West.
• The communications activities mentioned include:
- public meetings
- residential leaflet drops
- business leaflet drops
- articles in local newspapers
- interviews on local radio
- Nominated support personnel appointed in each station
Garda Press Office
13:00hrs 27th June 2008
Ref: 782/08
