Investigation into spate of recent burglaries in Boyle is progressing

Progress is being made in the investigation of recent break-ins in the Boyle area, a public meeting of the Joint Policing Committee was told last week.

A written question submitted before the meeting by Mr Brian Nerney of the Public Participation Network said that there appeared to be a shortage of Gardaí in the West of Ireland, particularly in County Roscommon. He said that there had been a spate of break-ins in Boyle and that people were afraid in their own homes.

Detective Inspector John Costello said that in relation to those burglaries in Boyle, local Gardaí had identified a neighbouring Garda division, which had a similar number of incidents.

“They also have very similar modus operandi adopted by the criminals in relation to it. We are having an inter divisional conference with Gardaí in that division with a view to bringing the criminals responsible before the courts,” he said.

Roscommon Superintendent John Fitzgerald said he was conscious there were a number of burglaries in Boyle.

“The community engagement Gardaí are working with the detective units on those investigations. We are proactively putting checkpoints in place to try to increase visibility around Boyle. That is something we have been advocating and something we will continue.” He hoped that changes to the Garda roster would also help visibility with overlapping units. He added that there was good Garda visibility in the county “and people should be reassured by that”.

The division’s Chief Superintendent Ray McMahon said that he did not take people’s fear of crime lightly.

“I would like to maximise as much visibility in the community as possible. I think it would be really important. I would hope that will be increased substantially in the coming years as we get new recruits,” he said. “I would say there is great co-operation between the Gardaí and the public in this county. We are notified very quickly if someone suspicious is around and we have various local networks to help us assist with that.” Speaking at the meeting, Mr Nerney said that he believed that a lot of the problems in the Boyle area stemmed from the reduction in opening hours at Boyle Garda Station.

“I have brought it up on numerous times before. The opening hours have been reduced from 168 hours to 37 hours,” he said. “Unfortunately for the people in Boyle if they don’t see the station open, they feel that there aren’t any Gardaí around.” He said that the Gardaí in Boyle had to cover a large and “ridiculous” geographical area.

“They have to go up to Tarmonbarry, down to Arigna, it’s just not possible,” he said, and he asked that the station's opening hours be looked at again.

“It has to be looked at again in the context of the big elephant in the room, which is more Gardaí. The Gardaí there are doing a very good job under limited circumstances,” he said.

He asked that the JPC send a letter calling for more Gardaí for the county in order to assist senior officers’ efforts.

Superintendent Fitzgerald said that since he took over the role in the summer, he directed that a patrol car operate from Boyle and Castlerea. He added that with the change in roster, there could be scope to increase the opening hours in Boyle. However, he highlighted that this would require deciding whether to have a Garda in the patrol car or at the station.