The superintendent of Westport, Aiden Foley has reassured the public that there are adequate Garda resources in Westport and he will continue to bring anyone who commits crime in Westport before the court.
Supt Foley’s comments were made at the town’s JPC meeting which was held on Monday afternoon. The superintendent said that with garda station closures in Mayo that people may think there are not enough garda resources, however he said he wanted to reassure people in Westport that there are.
He said that there was a “slight increase in burglaries in Westport district in 2012” and “I am aware people were in fear” but there are adequate resources in Westport town. The superintendent said that gardaí in the town are roistered on specific prime times, such as last Saturday night where Councillor Christy Hyland praised the fact that he met four gardaí on street patrol.
Supt Foley said that he is very aware of Westport’s great reputation as a tourist town and he said that those who were involved in recent anti-social behaviour in the town were brought before the court.
Cllr Christy Hyland said that everyone should be encouraged to get on board a texting system, which has worked in other areas. Supt Foley said that it is hoped that this will be rolled out in a number of areas in Westport, however he is just waiting to see if a financial institution have come on board with Muintir na Tire in order to fund some of the cost of the texting system.
