Longford Garda figures under spotlight

Senior gardaí have come out fighting this week over  the recent controversies surrounding the reporting of  garda crime figures.

Speaking at a  Joint Policing Committee (JPC) meeting this week, Cllr Padraig Loughrey sought clarity over how gardaí collated crime figures at a local level.

The Longford pharmacist was speaking in the wake of last week's revelations by Garda Commissioner Nóirín O'Sullivan that some gardaí may have “deliberately” breath test figures.

Over the weekend, fresh doubts emerged over the force's murder statistics with confirmation The National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI) is probing whether more than 40 homicide cases have been wrongly classified.

“There has been a lot of media furore in relation to the reporting of crimes.

“What reassurances can you give that the reporting mechanisms you use are accurate?” he asked Superintendent Jim Delaney.

The Longford Garda chief looked more than a tinge displeased by the manner of the Longford Councillor's questioning as he defended both the level  and authenticity of crime   data  in front of him.

“We are talking about media speculation, not about any fact,” he replied in no uncertain terms.

“We are in minus figures in relation to burglary, public order, theft from shops.

“I am more than satisfied with the job that is being done in the Longford District. These figures are completely accurate and I have no reason whatsoever to doubt them.”