Government TDs in Tipperary are being urged to make their voices heard to ensure the Garda College in Templemore remains the main training centre for the force.
Labour Deputy Alan Kelly says he’s both disappointed and surprised that the
Government are still pushing ahead with plans to move some Garda Training away from the mid-Tipp facility.
There was a lot of talk during the election of the need for a second training college nearer Dublin to make it easier for potential recruits with families to sign up.
Alan Kelly says any expansion of the Garda College should be in Tipperary.
“I have asked the Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan repeatedly about this and he has failed to deny that this is what is planned.
“A report is being commissioned – it is due this summer to the Minister. And I believe that Government TDs and supporters really need to get onto the Minister and tell him this is not good. Templemore is where historically Gardaí have always been trained. Land was bought in 2006 over the road in Clonmore to expand the college and that’s where this should happen.”
Alan Kelly says setting up a second training facility in another county could ultimately sound the death knell for the Garda College in Templemore.
He says it’s particularly concerning that Government TDs in the region haven’t had the capacity to stop this being considered.
“If a second training college is set up somewhere else in the country well that will be the slippery slope where training will begin to be moved away from Templemore. Obviously that will have a dramatic impact economically on the area and in many other ways.
“So Fianna Fáil Minister Jim O’Callaghan, this Government and the supporting TDs all need to work together now to ensure that Templemore is kept as the unique and best location for the future training of An Garda Siochana.”
