Eoghan Dalton Reports
There are concerns that Tramore will be left without a Superintendent as part of reforms to An Garda Síochána. It’s part of the amalgamation of the existing Waterford Division with Carlow/Kilkenny.The changes will see the number of Superintendents in the new Division cut from six to four.
Supt John Mulligan.
The outgoing system involves three Superintendents in Waterford who are responsible for Tramore, Dungarvan and the city, however the curtailment on senior management will see a Superintendent instead based in Waterford, Kilkenny and Carlow.
The Chief Superintendent for the Waterford/Kilkenny/Carlow Division will be based in Ballybricken.
Last Monday, 2nd March, Waterford’s Joint Policing Committee (JPC) heard that two serving Superintendents in Waterford are set to retire – Supt Chris Delaney in Waterford city and Supt John Mulligan in Tramore. Kilkenny’s Chief Superintendent, Dominick Hayes, will join them in taking Commissioner Drew Harris’ exit package.
They are among the reported 50-plus senior management retiring from the force this year nationwide – a fifth of the overall number.Garda Commissioner Drew Harris outlined the plans to the JPC in City Hall last week, explaining that the changes are expected for early autumn at the latest.JPC member Donal Murphy asked the Commissioner if Tramore will be left without a Superintendent in the shakeup.
Responding, the Garda boss said that it will be up to the new Divisional Chief Superintendent to decide where to base his senior management. Tramore Councillor Lola O’Sullivan (FG) tongue-in-cheek asked if Commissioner Harris would put a ‘good word’ in the ear of the new Chief Super, expected to be current Waterford chief Padraig Dunne. She later paid tribute to Supt Mulligan, telling the chamber that it will be a difficult task to replace him: “Supt Mulligan has operated in Tramore for a number of years and I have to say that he’s been absolutely wonderful. He was wonderful at working with the community and his door was always open.”
Cllr Declan Clune (SF), chairman of the JPC, also paid tribute to Supt Mulligan and thanked him for his service.