Minister says no extra gardai for Donegal despite recent spate of crime

There are 412 Gardaí, 29 Garda Reserves and 28 civilian staff assigned to the Donegal Garda Division.
The figures were announced in the Dail last evening by Junior Minister Dinny Mc Ginley, speaking on behalf of Justice Minister Alan Shatter.
He was answering a question from Donegal North East Deputy Charlie Mc Conalogue, who asked if extra gardai would be deployed in the county in light of a number of serious incidents in recent weeks and months.
In an answer which was prepared by the Justice Department, Minister Mc Ginley acknowledged a number of high profile aggravated burglaries on elderly victims along the border area in the Donegal Division in 2013.
He said Operation Liath was introduced within the Donegal Division in January 2013 as an operational strategy to improve public safety and enhance the effectiveness of high visibility police resources. This operation, he said, is running in conjunction with national initiatives such as Operation Fiacla.
The main focus of this ongoing operation is to disrupt and prevent criminality against older persons within the community, apprehend suspects, and fully investigate, detect and prosecute any offences.
No commitment was given to deploy extra gardai, with Minister Mc Ginley saying these objectives are being addressed through intelligence led patrols, checkpoints and continued liaison between gardai and the PSNI, and the continued support and rejuvenation of Neighbourhood Watch and Community Alert schemes.