McHugh wants ‘Derry factor’ recognised
Last weekend’s murder of Andrew ‘Chubby’ Allen outside Buncrana outlined once again the need for the garda authorities to take cognisance of the fact that the Inishowen peninsula is not simply a rural community - it is in close proximity to the fourth largest urban population in the country, that according to Fine Gael’s Joe McHugh.
Deputy McHugh said: “This incident highlights the need for the distribution of Garda resources to take into account the unique relationship between Derry City and north Donegal, particularly towns including Buncrana, Newtowncunningham and Muff that are in close proximity to Derry, which is the fourth largest city on this island.
“Analysis of Garda resources in north Donegal compared with Garda resources in towns and villages in west Cork, shows that the distribution of An Garda Síochána resources in Border regions does not take into account demographic factors on the other side of the Border. The reality is that movement of people between Derry City and north Donegal is as free as movement of people between Cork City and West Cork. I have previously raised this issue with the Garda Commissioner.
“The Minister for Justice, Alan Shatter, has a very strong working relationship with the Minister for Justice at Stormont, David Ford MLA. Today I have asked Minister Shatter to liaise with the Garda Commissioner and with Minister Ford on this matter.”
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Weather for Derry
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South east
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