The Policing and Community Safety Authority (PCSA) brought together community groups, support services, and local officials in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim, as part of its ongoing public consultation on policing priorities, reports RTE.
Helen Hall, CEO of the PCSA, told RTÉ News that the consultation is aimed at giving the public a voice in shaping future policing strategies.
“We establish the priorities for An Garda SÃochána and we’re asking the public to have their say. Resources are limited in everything in life. The consultation gives the public the opportunity to say where they believe the resources should be distributed,” reports RTE.
Pamela Rowley of the Irish Countrywomen’s Association told RTÉ that she feels “more Gardaà are needed on the street – especially in the countryside.”
Connacht IFA Regional Chairman Brendan Golden said while the west of Ireland doesn’t face daily policing issues, it is still “important that people know gardaà are available when needed,” reports RTE.
James Wilson Higgins from Positive Age expressed concern over the easy access young people have to vaping products, which he believes can lead to more harmful substance use.
“It’s giving them an opportunity to progress from an e-cigarette to a cigarette to possibly smoking cannabis or even going further and that may ruin their lives,” reports RTE.
Janine Bartley of the Longford Local Community Safety Partnership highlighted the need for proper support for those affected by drug-related intimidation and violence.
“It’s great to see the launch of the awareness campaign for drugs related intimidation and violence engagement programme, which is being led out by drug and alcohol task forces across the country, with the support of the HSE and An Garda SÃochána today,” reports RTE.
Ms Hall said community safety will be a core part of PCSA’s new responsibilities and emphasized the need for more collaborative approaches to policing.
“Gardaà do a really difficult job. They’re often left dealing with mental health issues and issues of child protection in the middle of the night, reports RTE.
“This isn’t their primary role, but because they are the only ones there – they deal with it. They deal with it very well and as best as they can,” reports RTE.
“We should be moving towards a multiagency approach and that’s not just in the middle of the night. It is around crime prevention,” reports RTE.
She added that broader investment in services like education and youth support is essential to building safer communities.
“We’re not going to police our way out and we’re not going to police our way into community safety – it needs to be much broader,” she said, reports RTE.
PCSA Chair Elaine Byrne previously said setting policing priorities is a key task for the Authority.
“The policing priorities, when determined, provide clarity on the key areas that require particular attention to improve policing services to the public,” reports RTE.
She said the priorities will guide PCSA’s oversight efforts and help shape the Garda Commissioner’s Strategic Plan and Annual Service Plan.
The PCSA, which replaced the former Policing Authority last month, is responsible for independently monitoring and evaluating the performance of An Garda SÃochána. It has taken on the functions of its predecessor and has been given new responsibilities related to community safety, reports RTE.
As part of its consultation on priorities for An Garda SÃochána for 2026–2028, the PCSA launched a 10-minute online survey where people can allocate ‘points’ to the policing areas they consider most important.
The consultation, open to anyone over 16 years old, runs until 8 June, reports RTE.
The first in a series of public consultations is taking place in Carrick-on-Shannon today.
Ms Byrne said the process is a vital opportunity for the public to contribute to shaping Garda priorities.
“It is important that communities and individuals have an opportunity to input into the development of the priorities,” she said, reports RTE.
“Including more voices and perspectives will help significantly to determine what policing best delivers a sense of safety and security in the community,” Ms Byrne added, reports RTE.
The PCSA recently met privately with Garda Commissioner Drew Harris to discuss policing priorities, the Garda Annual Service Plan, and child protection matters.
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