Troy concerned about relocation of Mullingar based Traffic Corps gardaí to Moate

(Above) Minister of State Robert Troy.

A local TD have voiced concerns about the relocation of Mullingar based Garda Traffic Corps officers to Moate.

Speaking at Monday's virtual meeting of the Joint Policing Committee, Minister of State Robert Troy said that he was "worried" about how quickly the traffic corps will be able to respond to incidents in the north of the county once its officers currently based in Mullingar make the move to Moate Station.

"I appreciate that Moate is a good location from a motorway perspective but I'd be worried in relation to more remote areas of north Westmeath and how quick the traffic corps could respond, if needed. To have that moved from Mullingar Garda Station, I just wonder what was the rationale behind it? Is it because Mullingar is at capacity due to the size of the station or was there another reason as to why it was moved?" he asked.

Responding to Deputy Troy, Superintendent Alan Murray said it was an "operational matter" decided by the management of Westmeath Garda Division.

"It was deemed that it was best to have the unit properly resourced and properly supervised in one location,” he said.

Supt Murray added that he was "happy that Westmeath will receive a better service because of the relocation of the traffic unit".

Covid-19 has delayed some parts of the restructuring process brought about by the merging of the Meath and Westmeath Garda Divisions. However, the division's new hub to deal with financial crime is due to open in Navan shortly. The next hub to become operational will be the administration hub, which will be based in Mullingar, followed by the governance hub.

Responding to a query by Cllr Frankie Keena about what hub will be based in Athlone, Chief Superintendent Fergus Healy said that no decision has been made about where the other new hubs will be located.

"We haven't determined with certainty yet what hubs will be in Athlone or what will be in Mullingar yet," he said.