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Garda chief turnover too high
17.09.10
by Caoimhinn Barr, Inishowen Independent
CONCERNS have been raised at the high turnover of
Garda superintendents in Inishowen in recent years.
There have been seven different superintendents in
charge of the force here in the last decade. The
quick turnover rate was particularly stark after
long-serving chief, Supt Vincent O’Brien, re-located
to Letterkenny.
At Tuesday’s Inishowen Electoral Area meeting in
Carn, local Fianna Fail Councillor Charlie
McConalogue said the situation was not good enough. |
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Supt Jimmy Coen |
Supt Kevin English |
“Superintendents are
changing here far too often and that is something
that is simply not on. The leadership of any
organisation is key and Inishowen is being treated
as the poor relation,” he said.
“Twelve or eighteen months in charge of an
organisation is not long enough. Projects need to be
adopted and seen through but there is no consistency
of leadership in the Gardai in Inishowen.”
McConalogue proposed that local county councillors
seek a minimum term for serving Inishowen
Superintendents, who are appointed by the Garda
Commissioner, currently Fachtna Murphy. |
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Supt Paul Glynn |
Supt Vincent O'Brien |
Echoing Cllr
McConalogue's sentiments, Councillor Mickey Doherty
said Inishowen ‘supers’ were not given enough time.
“I became very familiar with Supt. William Johnston
but he was only here for one year. I don’t believe
that the current Superintendent, Kevin English, will
stay very long either. I think we should seek a
superintendent of our own; someone from here,” he
said.
Cllr John Ryan said a Garda chief from Inishowen or
Donegal was more likely to want to stay.
When contacted yesterday, the Garda press office had
no comment to make on the issue. A spokesperson said
the appointment of senior officers and the
allocation of resources was a matter for the Garda
Commissioner.
Inishowen Superintendents since 2001:
Vincent O’Brien
Declan O'Brien
Jimmy Coen
Paul Glynn
William Johnston
Kevin English |
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