New Garda drop-in centre launched in Monksland

A new Garda drop-in centre initiative was officially launched in Monksland Community Centre last Tuesday by local Garda Superintendent Aidan Glacken. Operated by Athlone Gardaí, the facility aims to provide the growing area of south Roscommon with an outreach service where they can come and meet with a local officer. Meetings every week on Tuesdays from 7-9pm with any queries or requests for information or forms etc and heighten the Garda presence in the area. It also aims to highlight to the public that the changes in Garda boundaries don"t affect Monksland, which remains within the jurisdiction of Athlone Gardaí, despite the fact Kiltoom, Drum and Clonark and other areas are now under the control of Roscommon Garda Station. The drop-in centre has already been operating successfully for the last number of months in Monksland Community Centre and is manned by officers from Community Policing Unit under the stewardship of Sgt Andrew Harron. The initiative has also been backed by the Monksland Residents Assocation. Meanwhile, John Keogh, a Fianna Fáil candidate for the local elections in the South Roscommon area, has welcomed the initiative by An Garda Siochana to hold a drop-in clinic in the Monksland Civic Community Centre on Tuesday nights from 7pm-9pm. 'This is a very welcome development for the people living in the Monksland area. It is of huge significance and is a vital component to ensuring that the community policing project works effectively. I would encourage all who are living in the area to use the service that is being provided by An Garda Siochana to ensure that it will remain in situ,' Mr Keogh said. Stating that there were reports of suspicious vehicles in the general area, Mr Keogh said: 'There is CCTV in the locality and I will discuss with An Garda Siochana the possibility of having additional cameras installed and having the entire CCTV system linked up to the Barrack Street Garda Station so as to monitor this unwelcome activity and ultimately lead to the prosecution of those involved in such activity. 'I would also encourage people in the Monksland area to record the registration number of any suspicious vehicle and immediately bring it to the attention of An Garda Siochana so that they may investigate same,' Mr Keogh concluded.