As Ireland’s next general election approaches, it’s critical to address the severe shortcomings in rural policing that continue to impact communities across the country. Rural Ireland has seen a steady rise in crime, a reduction in Garda presence, and an overall sense of insecurity among residents. Despite repeated assurances from Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and successive governments, many feel that rural Ireland has been left behind. With new leadership on the horizon, it’s time to demand that the incoming Commissioner make rural policing a top priority from day one.
In this article, we’ll break down the concerning statistics on rural crime, analyze the failures of current rural policing strategies, outline the commitments we need from a new Garda Commissioner, and highlight key questions to ask TD candidates as they come knocking on our doors during the election campaign.
The Rise in Rural Crime: A Year-on-Year Analysis
Statistics from the CSO (Central Statistics Office) reveal a troubling increase in rural crime, underscoring a lack of effective policing strategies for Ireland’s countryside communities. Here’s a year-over-year (YOY) breakdown of crime rates in rural areas from 2020 to 2024:
| Year | Property Crime | YOY % Change (Property Crime) | Agricultural Theft | YOY % Change (Agricultural Theft) | Assaults | YOY % Change (Assaults) | Burglaries | YOY % Change (Burglaries) | Anti-Social Behavior | YOY % Change (Anti-Social Behavior) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 6,500 | – | 1,200 | – | 900 | – | 2,500 | – | 4,300 | – |
| 2021 | 7,300 | +12.3% | 1,400 | +16.7% | 1,000 | +11.1% | 2,800 | +12.0% | 4,700 | +9.3% |
| 2022 | 8,100 | +11.0% | 1,600 | +14.3% | 1,200 | +20.0% | 3,100 | +10.7% | 5,100 | +8.5% |
| 2023 | 9,500 | +17.3% | 1,900 | +18.8% | 1,500 | +25.0% | 3,500 | +12.9% | 5,600 | +9.8% |
| 2024 | 10,400 | +9.5% | 2,100 | +10.5% | 1,800 | +20.0% | 4,000 | +14.3% | 6,200 | +10.7% |
This rising trend across categories such as property crime, burglaries, and anti-social behavior correlates with the under-resourcing of Garda stations in rural areas. With closures of local stations, insufficient patrols, and delayed response times, residents often feel vulnerable and unprotected. Despite repeated calls for a rural policing strategy, the current approach has left communities exposed to crime.
Failures of the Present Government and Garda Leadership
The current government and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris’s tenure have fallen short on rural policing in several key areas:
- Lack of Accountability and Focus: Successive governments have failed to bring meaningful reforms to rural policing, often prioritizing urban crime strategies while underestimating the needs of rural communities.
- Resource Allocation Imbalance: Rural Garda stations lack the resources needed to adequately serve their areas, with fewer Garda vehicles, personnel, and equipment compared to urban counterparts. This has led to a consistent pattern of delayed responses and limited preventive measures.
- Low Morale among Rural Gardaí: Officers in rural areas often face increased workloads and limited support, leading to low morale, burnout, and retention issues that further strain already thinly spread resources.
- Unaddressed Rural Crime Prevention Needs: Effective crime prevention in rural areas requires community involvement and support for initiatives such as neighborhood watch, CCTV installation, and community patrols. These programs have not received adequate government or Garda support.
What the New Garda Commissioner Must Commit To
The incoming Garda Commissioner has an opportunity—and responsibility—to make substantial improvements in rural policing. Here’s what they need to commit to from day one:
- Increase Garda Presence in Rural Areas: The Commissioner must prioritize hiring and deploying additional Gardaí specifically trained for rural policing. This includes restoring local stations where feasible and increasing patrol frequency.
- Invest in Rural Policing Resources: The Commissioner must allocate sufficient vehicles, modern communication tools, and support equipment for rural Gardaí, ensuring they are well-prepared to respond to incidents quickly and effectively.
- Develop a Rural-Specific Crime Prevention Strategy: Rural Ireland needs tailored crime prevention measures, including support for neighborhood watch programs, grants for community CCTV systems, and subsidies for individual security measures. A well-funded rural crime prevention initiative would go a long way toward helping residents feel safer.
- Set Clear Response Time Targets and Monitoring: Establishing and adhering to rapid response time targets for rural areas should be a top priority. Regular monitoring and public reporting on response times would foster transparency and accountability.
- Support Garda Morale and Retention in Rural Posts: To attract and retain officers in rural Ireland, the Commissioner should provide enhanced training, mental health support, and career development opportunities specific to rural challenges. This would help build a committed, motivated Garda force for rural areas.
- Establish Direct Accountability to Rural Communities: The Commissioner should create a dedicated rural policing liaison team, regularly engaging with local communities, representatives, and rural advocacy groups. Quarterly town hall meetings in rural areas, where the Commissioner reports on progress, would also promote trust and transparency.
What to Ask TD Candidates in This General Election
As candidates campaign in rural Ireland, now is the time for residents to demand specific commitments to improve rural policing. Here are critical questions to ask:
- Will you support a rural-specific Garda hiring and resource initiative? TD candidates should commit to securing funding for hiring additional Gardaí for rural areas, including resources like vehicles and equipment.
- How will you ensure rural crime prevention programs are funded and expanded? Look for candidates who prioritize funding for crime prevention programs, neighborhood watch support, and CCTV grants for rural communities.
- What are your plans to improve rural Garda response times? Candidates should have concrete ideas to achieve faster response times and address delays in emergency situations.
- Will you push for improved mental health and career support for rural Gardaí? Stronger support systems would help improve morale and retention among Gardaí in rural posts.
- How will you ensure Garda accountability to rural communities? Voters should seek assurances that candidates will demand transparent progress reporting from Garda leadership on rural crime and policing.
Conclusion: Time for a Rural Policing Overhaul
The rising crime rates in rural Ireland highlight the urgent need for a dedicated, resourced, and transparent rural policing strategy. For too long, rural communities have felt sidelined as they experience a growing sense of vulnerability and neglect. The upcoming general election is an opportunity for rural voters to insist on meaningful commitments from their potential TDs and the next Garda Commissioner.
By asking the right questions and demanding concrete commitments, we can work toward a safer, more secure future for all of rural Ireland.
