Longford stabbings ‘an all-time low in criminality’ as ‘drug related’ violence escalates

Two Longford senators have spoken of their concerns over an 'escalation in violence' in Longford, ahead of an imminent visit by Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan, with one Oireachtas member saying Garda morale is 'particularly low' after a 'brain drain'.

Minister O'Callaghan met Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly last Friday and they discussed the worsening situation in the county town.

Tensions escalated after another suspected feud related incident on Monday night, February 9 when two men, aged in their 20’s and 30’s, were stabbed in Teffia Park at around 9pm.

The attackers brought the more seriously injured of the two victims to Battery Road where they dumped him on the path outside Longford Garda Station.

Also read: 'Sick to my stomach': Entire community of Longford shaken by ‘traumatic’ double stabbing

The stabbings are believed to be connected to a previous incident in which a shot was fired at a house in Garvey’s Close the previous week. 

Senator Flaherty said he raised the issue on a number of occasions with the Minister O'Callaghan who confirmed he would be 'specifically addressing' the local issue with Commissioner Kelly who is due to visit Longford over the coming weeks.

"Obviously there has been quite a lot of escalation in feuding and violent behaviour and of particular worry to the people is the emergence of new gangs over and beyond the traditional Traveller's field. 

"We had a stabbing incident in the Roma community, followed by a second stabbing incident in the town.

Also read: Longford needs more gardaí: 'We are not adequately resourced to deal with level of serious incidents'

"Both of these were incidents in quick succession and an all-time low in criminality in Longford Town."

Senator Flaherty said he hopes senior Garda personnel will accompany Minister O'Callaghan to Longford and  the Garda 'staffing issue' also needs to be addressed.

"I understand that nine members of the  force have departed Longford since the start of the year.

"Some suggested that two of those positions have been refilled, although [that is] not fully clarified."

Senator Flaherty said he raised Garda numbers with Minister O'Callaghan when he spoke to him.

"That was part of the discussion he was to have with the Garda [management], but also to discuss general morale and the lack thereof amongst Garda in Longford Town.

Also read: Student Garda who carried out placement in Longford graduates from Templemore

"A lot of senior figures have left the force in Longford Town  and those senior members that have remained and are trying to do the best they can.

"I  do feel that morale is particularly low. 

"I understand that a number of officers are trying to transfer out of the town and two of our most senior detectives have recently transferred to Roscommon.

"Also, that level of local knowledge was a huge blow for us as well. 

"We can't have that brain drain within An Garda Síochána and it was incumbent on me to raise these matters with the Minister for Justice."

The former Longford-Westmeath TD believes Garda numbers are a 'primary issue' but a 'broader brushstroke'  is needed for the county town and similar action to what happened in Drogheda.

"I think it's very much a task force that's required for the town and it needs to be a multi-agency approach as well including Longford County Council and Longford Community Resources."

Senator Flaherty said Longford Local Community Safety Partnership (LCSP) is in existence for a while but he claimed they 'haven't been proactive in this space' and every negative story reflects badly on Longford.

WATCH: Garda Armed Support Unit surround and raid house in Longford

"I suppose the biggest concern is that an innocent party is going to get hurt, or worse again, fatally injured in all of this.

"We've seen incidents in Teffia Park, probably one of the quietest estates in provincial Ireland.

“In its 60 plus years of existence nothing like this has ever happened.

"It seems that violence can break out on any street and there is an indifference whether it's elderly people or children on that street."

Fine Gael Senator Paraic Brady also raised the incidents in the Seanad last Wednesday when he spoke under parliamentary privilege.

Also read: Bloodied injured man dumped outside Longford Garda station after double stabbing attack 

"I want to address a couple of issues that have arisen in the county town of Longford over the last number of weeks.

"We have seen a person in their 30s and their 20s stabbed, which is shocking to see.

"One [of them] was actually stabbed and dumped outside our local Garda station.

"Everybody locally knows it is feuding among families and it's drug-related."