Gardaí in Castlebar responded to the daylight stabbing in a busy shopping area in the centre of town on Holy Thursday within 90 seconds, the local Superintendent has revealed.
Superintendent Pat Diskin said he totally rejects any claims that lawlessness and violence are becoming the norm on the streets of the county town.
He described the stabbing as an “isolated incident” and outlined how a major Garda operation swooped down on the suspected perpetraters within hours of the assault.
Garda resources are not a problem in Castlebar, he added. In fact, crime is falling in the town.
In the first almost four months of the year, compared to the same period in 2013, public order offences are down 11 per cent, drunkeness offences are down 19 per cent, burglaries are down 30 per cent, theft from cars has more than halved, and theft from shops has fallen by 22 per cent.
“There is no break down of law and order,” said Supt Diskin. “You have to look at the statistics - the proof is in the pudding.”
Supt Diskin also said there is no resource crisis in the Castlebar station.
“Gardaí were at the site [of the stabbing] on Thursday within 1.5 minutes of the report. I would say that’s a very swift response. Furthermore, on Thursday, within hours of the incident, two arrests were made and the individuals were detained in Castlebar Station. On Friday morning, there were further arrests and again on Saturday morning. In total, seven people were arrested.
Resources
“That takes a major operation. I couldn’t do that if resources were an issue.”
Supt Diskin outlined that there has been five ‘serious assaults’ in Castlebar so far this year. The detection rate in all of those cases stands at 100 per cent.
He moved to allay any fears that Castlebar is becoming a dangerous town in which to live, shop, or socialise.
“This is a great town. I’ve lived in Castlebar for 18 years and I’ve policed Castlebar as a sergeant. I have been the superintendent here for a year. I think I am well qualified to say whether it is a safe place to live. It most certainly is. This is a great town, a very safe town...Crime has reduced significantly and I have to pay tribute to the community, to the council, and to staff on the ground. They are doing an excellent job. They are very dedicated, professional, and very thorough.”
Most of the individuals arrested in relation to the assault on Thursday April 17, were males in their 20s although some were juveniles.
Files are currently being prepared to be sent to the DPP with appropriate recommendations.
Intimidation
Castlebar Superintendent Pat Diskin has urged members of the public who have been assaulted or who are victims of intimidation to make a statement of complaint to the gardaí and they will see the matter through to its conclusion.
Supt Diskin said he was concerned that, out of five serious assaults so far this year in the Castlebar area, three complainants had later withdrawn their statements.
“People have either refused to make a statement or a complaint has been withdrawn,” he explained.
“I want to reassure people, if someone is intimated or assaulted, come forward and make a complaint. We will follow it through to its conclusion.”
