EDDIE WALSH
Kerry division
A frontline garda with 19 years’ service, he says pay is the main concern. “Pay affects morale; morale is low.” The pay cuts, pension levies and the USC have eroded the pay of frontline gardaí but lack of resources and lack of manpower were other huge issues, he says.
“Recruitment should be a priority. People are retiring and being promoted and they are not being replaced.
“Who says Garda numbers have to be capped at 13,500-14,000? Why not have 15,000-16,000?”
JAMES MORRISROE
Cavan-Monaghan division
A garda with 20 years’ service, he says, “pay, conditions, resources,” and the low pay of recruits are all affecting the force in his division.
Narrowly defeated for the office of president of the GRA, he says society is becoming more violent yet garda numbers are down. His division, along the border, has lost 22 per cent of its strength, or about 100 gardaí, since 2008.
ENDA DUNNE
Donegal division
With 23 years’ service on the frontline in the Border area, he says the big issues are pay and resources. Too many gardaí are working on their own and are being asked to cover wide areas, he says. On his own in Ballybofey last July, he was holding on to two burglars for 15 minutes, waiting for back up. Stations that are not being closed are still losing gardaí as personnel are being drawn into larger centres, he adds.
AILEEN O’MEARA
Bridewell, Dublin
A garda with 34 years’ service, her concerns are “pay” and “equality for junior members”.
“We need Garda management to step in and fight for new recruits. We should be all on parity.”
Pay has been cut, while the cost of living is going up, she notes. Better equipment and training are other issues cited, particularly the opportunity to upskill.