Cutbacks in rural Garda resources appalling

A father-of-four whose family were threatened at gunpoint by four masked men has described the lack of Garda resources in parts of rural Co Limerick as "appalling".

Speaking after two men received five- and seven- year jail sentences for the aggravated burglary at his home, Gerry Garvey said he is hopeful of further prosecutions.

Mr Garvey, his wife Anne, and their four children were subjected to a terrifying ordeal when a masked gang armed with a sawn-off shot gun, baseball bat, and sledge hammer, burst through the patio doors of their home at Sunville House, Pallasgreen, Co Limerick, on April 16, 2012.

The 54-year-old was handcuffed by the gang who threatened to blow his head off and kill his children.

Speaking on Live 95FM, Mr Garvey said he received fantastic support from the garda.

However, he said there needs to be a review of how money is spent in the justice system, insisting that garda are operating under very constrained resources all the time.

I know in our own particular area, for example, there are two or three Garda stations which share one patrol car between them.

I mean in fairness in the 21st century that seems absolutely appalling.

It kind of frightens me when you look at the scale of things that they cant give resources to preventive measures like having sufficient garda on duty on the beat and driving around in patrol cars in the smaller areas and manning the small stations.

Yet when it comes to a major crime like this or other similar crimes, there doesnt seem to be any difficulty in providing the finances for free legal aid and for prisons.

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Cutbacks in rural Garda resources appalling