Gda Jim Lacey to be new Community Garda

Sgt Tom O'Donoghue, Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer, and Gda Jim Lacey.

Garda Jim Lacey from Kilcullen has been proposed as the new Community Garda for the area, following the recent retirement of Jon Brien, writes Brian Byrne. Although the move is not yet official, it was announced at last night's Home Safety meeting in Kilcullen Parish Centre.

Sergeant Tom O'Donoghue said there's a big gap left with Jon Brien's retirement. He outlined the role of a Community Guard as dealing directly with community groups and schools on issues relevant to those areas. 

Gda Lacey currently works out of Kilcullen with responsibility for the Ballymore area. He will continue with that in addition to the community role. He noted the importance of interacting with young people, particularly through the Garda TY Programme, and of the welfare dimension in liaising with older or vulnerable people. On that last, he emphasised that if anyone knows of somebody who might need a garda to come and talk to them about their concerns, to let him know.

The meeting also discussed practical crime prevention and security during the darker winter evenings, the boundaries of the area served by Kilcullen Garda Station, and the importance of community members being vigilant and staying in touch with each other and the gardai about concerns.

(The Diary will detail more from the meeting in subsequent posts.)

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