Two New Gardaí Assigned: Communities in West Waterford have welcomed confirmation that two new Gardaí are set to be deployed to Lismore and Tallow in the coming weeks, following the recent retirement of a long-serving community Garda in the area.
Local representatives say the appointments will help restore confidence in rural policing, with Labour councillor and Deputy Mayor John Pratt among those expressing relief that the positions are being filled.
Speaking to WLR, Cllr Pratt said the news had been warmly received by residents who rely heavily on visible community policing.
However, he also stressed that Cappoquin remains without adequate Garda cover and urged senior management to address the imbalance.
“Every wants the best coverage you can have, they deserve the peace of mind, hopefully something can be done going forward,” he said, noting that Cappoquin continues to lag behind neighbouring towns.
The announcement was further reinforced by Government Chief Whip and Minister for Mental Health, Mary Butler TD, who confirmed that a Garda will take up duty in Tallow from April 14th.
She added that an additional Garda will be assigned to Lismore within six to eight weeks.
Minister Butler said she had been engaging with Chief Superintendent Anthony Pettit and Superintendent Larry Sheehan, and praised their efforts to strengthen policing resources in West Waterford. She noted that concerns about Garda visibility had been raised repeatedly during her recent visits to local communities.
“The news that Garda numbers will be bolstered in a matter of weeks will be very welcome in Tallow, Lismore and the surrounding areas,” she said, adding that the Justice Minister’s priority remains increasing high-visibility patrols and preventing crime.
The Minister highlighted that the two new appointments follow a broader allocation of 17 Garda recruits to Waterford in recent months. She said ensuring safety and security across the county’s towns, villages and the city remains a key priority.
While the latest allocations have been broadly welcomed, local representatives say they will continue to push for Cappoquin to receive similar attention, arguing that balanced Garda coverage is essential for rural communities to feel protected.
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