Joint Policing Committee Minutes

Minutes of Sligo Joint Policing Committee Meeting held on Friday 6th October 2023 at 11.00am in The Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo.


MEMBERS PRESENT:

  • Councillor R. O’ Grady - Chairperson
  • Councillor M. Casserly
  • Councillor T. Fox
  • Councillor A. Gibbons
  • Councillor D. Gilroy(R)
  • Councillor S. Maguire
  • Councillor M. Mullaney
  • Deputy M. Harkin T.D.
  • M. Lydon, Chief Executive, Sligo County Council
  • M. McConnell, Senior Executive Officer, Sligo County Council
  • Chief Superintendent A. Glacken, An Garda Síochána
  • Superintendent B. Doyle, An Garda Síochána
  • V. Clarke(R) Sligo PPN
  • G. McGibbon, Sligo PPN
  • D. Tuffy (R) Sligo PPN

 

IN ATTENDANCE:

  • Mr. J. Moran, A/Director of Services, Sligo County Council
  • Ms. J. Golden, Staff Officer, Sligo County Council
  • Superintendent P. Burke, An Garda Síochána

(R) = participated in the meeting remotely

 

APOLOGIES:

Apologies were received from Councillor D. Mulvey and Mr. E. McCaffrey.

 

CHAIRPERSON:

Councillor R. O’ Grady, presided and welcomed all present and online to the meeting.

 

1.  MINUTES OF MEETING OF THE MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF SLIGO JOINT POLICING COMMITTEE HELD ON 30TH JUNE 2023:

Proposed by Councillor G. Mullaney
Seconded by Councillor T. Fox

AND AGREED

“To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting of County Sligo Joint Policing Committee held on 30th June 2023”

 

2.  MATTERS ARISING:

Proposed by Councillor R. O’Grady
Seconded by Councillor D. Gilroy

AND AGREED

“To fund the repair of the Telesis Property Marking Machine one final time”

It was confirmed that the Telesis Machine would be available for use throughout the County once repaired.

Members agreed that as per Sligo JPC Standing Orders, the agendas for future JPC Meetings would contain no more than two questions from any one member, this is to include any deferred questions.

 

3.  SLIGO JPC STRATEGIC PLAN 2017 – 2022 – UPDATE ON ACTIONS:

Chief Superintendent Glacken thanked members for their endorsement regarding the repair of the Telesis Machine.

Chief Superintendent Glacken reported that Superintendent M. Gaynor had retired from An Garda Síochána.  Superintendent Barry Doyle would be replacing her on the JPC Committee.  Members relayed their best wishes to Superintendent Gaynor on the occasion of her retirement and welcomed Superintendent Doyle to the JPC Committee.  Chief Superintendent Glacken agreed to pass on the best wishes of the JPC Committee to Superintendent Gaynor.

Chief Superintendent Glacken gave a comprehensive update report on the JPC Strategic Plan, which had been circulated to members prior to the meeting.

The following points were clarified:

  • Crime figures are available by contacting Chief Superintendent Glacken directly
  • Drugs being tested for at checkpoints includes Cannabis, Cocaine, Amphetamines and Benezodiame
  • Fewer checkpoints are producing greater results due to a change in tactics
  • There is a regional Cyber Crime Unit in Galway which this divisional area links into

A breakdown of the different types of Domestic Violence was requested for year end.

Members recorded their condolences to the family of the late Mr. Tom Niland RIP.

 

4.  NOTICE RECEIVED OF ISSUES TO BE RAISED:

(a) Deferred from 16th December 2022, 31st March & 30th June JPC Meetings - Received from Councillor T. Healy:
“To call on the Garda to carry out a speed check on the R290 from Collooney to Ballisodare and on the Ballisodare to Crowna Church on the N59.  Both are a major concern to residents regarding speed coming into Ballisodare village”

This item was deferred in the absence of Councillor Healy.

(b) Deferred from 16th December 2022, 31st March & 30th June JPC Meetings - Received from Councillor T. Healy:
“To ask if all Garda Stations and Garda patrol cars have defibrillators in them?  As this is an important part of First Aid that can save a life in a community or on the side of the road when Garda are on duty.  Is training given to all Garda on the use of a defibrillator and how this can save a life?” 

This item was deferred in the absence of Councillor Healy.

(c) Deferred from 31st March & 30th June JPC Meetings - Received from Councillor S. Maguire:
“To seek a report regarding the need for a refuge in Sligo and to speak to the numbers reporting violence in the home”

Chief Superintendent Glacken stated that he would support the provision of a refuge in the area and that one hundred additional refuges will be rolled out nationally in the coming years.  The willingness and courage to report Domestic Violence was welcomed, An Garda Síochána work with many agencies is benefitting this reporting.  More cases in regard to Coercive Control are coming to court which is sending a strong message.

(d) Received from Councillor M. Casserly:
“In the case of an accident whereby a Guide Dog owner is badly injured and requires emergency   treatment, currently there is no procedure to deal with the Guide Dog. Can this issue be raised at a national level at AGS to highlight this and make the necessary procedural changes” 

Chief Superintendent Glacken stated that he would examine this issue.  The services of the Local Authority and Animal Welfare Services are enlisted in these situations.

(e) Received from Councillor M. Casserly:
“That a Navilens code be attached to a Garda badge or on their person or in their possession. This  would help a blind person identify a member and announce whatever is on the code”

Chief Superintendent Glacken will review this and revert.

(f) Received from Councillor M. Casserly:
“As the reason given not to build a new Garda station in Sligo in all replies by the Justice Minister and the Commissioner was because the divisional headquarters was to be in Letterkenny, I am calling on this JPC to request that a new Garda station be built in Sligo as divisional headquarters as was previously planned for”

Chief Superintendent Glacken stated that this was top of his agenda and that Commissioner Harris has endorsed the provision of a new Garda Station for Sligo.  The Government is to provide funding to the OPW in order to progress this.  Chief Superintendent Glacken agreed to give a verbal update regarding this at the next JPC Meeting.

(g) Received from Markian Harkin T.D.:
“To raise the issue of the one way traffic system in Dominic Street, Sligo”

Chief Superintendent Glacken advised that Roads Policing Sergeant has been appointed and there have been a number of prosecutions in this area.  The current level of Garda presence will continue.

(h) Received from Councillor. T. Healy:
“That the JPC ask the Go Safe Company to outline in detail the process of how it is decided to designate a particular Road or location for the positioning of a Go Safe Van?

That the JPC request the Go Safe Company to come to meet the JPC to present specifically on the process of designating large area of Sligo Town Centre and how it was decided that the areas of Sligo Town be designated as opposed to what is considered other areas like the R287 which is not designated and is locally considered serious in need of speed reduction measures. The R284 is designated from Carraroe Junction to Glennagoolagh but unfortunately the Go safe Van has disappeared from it and appears to be spending a lot of time on Lower Pearse Road”

This item was deferred in the absence of Councillor Healy.

(i) Received from Councillor. T. Healy:
“To ask the JPC to request An Garda Siochana address the issue of drivers circle spinning in cars on roads at night. This is happening all around as can be seen from tyre marks on roads. Currently it is occurring at entrance to Lagan Quarry at Aughamore at a dangerous bend on a narrow road”

This item was deferred in the absence of Councillor Healy.

(j) Received from Marian Harkin T.D:
“Issue of road safety on the N59 between Ballisodare and Dromore West”

Chief Superintendent Glacken stated that there will be additional hours allocated for Go Safe vans in this area. 

 

5. REFERRED FOR DISCUSSION FROM PLENARY COUNCIL MEETINGS:

(a) Deferred from 16th December 2022, 31st March & 30th June 2023 JPC Meetings - Councillor. T. Walsh’s Motion No. 28 referred for discussion from December’s Plenary Council Meeting:
“That Sligo County Council calls on the Minister for Justice and the Garda Commissioner to provide the necessary resources in terms of Gardai and appropriate vehicles to the Sligo Roads Policing Unit. That the same be relayed also to the Taoiseach and Tánaiste.”

This item was deferred in the absence of Councillor Walsh.

 

6. CORRESPONDENCE

(b) The retention of resources will benefit Sligo, along with a centralised HQ for Sligo/Leitrim.

 

7. ARRANGEMENTS FOR NEXT MEETING

The next meeting was scheduled for Friday 15th December 2023 at 10.30am in the Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside.

 

8. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

There was no other business.

 

Councillor R. O’ Grady thanked members for attending the meeting.  The business of the meeting ended at 11.45am.

 


Meeting Date 06/10/2023