{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/67c5d757b48a8f157c1f9076/68b6b227b4b4b9b3d2747239?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Calls for More Gardaí in Meath as Two New Recruits Join Navan station - 02/09/2025","description":"<p>A Sinn Féin councillor has criticised the government for “failing” to address the Garda staffing crisis in Meath, as two newly attested members were deployed to Navan Garda Station.</p><p><br></p><p>The new recruits are part of a cohort of 154 probationer Gardaí who graduated from the Garda College in Templemore last week while another 201 trainees are beginning their studies this week, with a further graduation scheduled for November.</p><p><br></p><p>Fianna Fáil TD for Meath West, Aisling Dempsey, welcomed the additions, saying: “I welcome the deployment of two newly attested Gardaí to Navan Garda Station, strengthening visible policing across Meath West.”</p><p><br></p><p>However, Bettystown/Laytown Sinn Féin councillor Maria White said that the scale of recruitment remains far short of what is needed. Figures released to Sinn Féin through a Parliamentary Question show that Meath has 26 fewer Gardaí compared to April 2024.</p><p><br></p><p>Deputy Dempsey joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us in more detail about this. </p><p> </p><p>We also heard about a protest which took place in Kells recently and saw protesters holding placards with Deputy Dempsey's face printed on them with the words \"GENOCIDE\" in large print. </p><p><br></p><p>Deputy Dempsey gave us her reaction to this. </p><p><br></p><p><br></p>","author_name":"lmfm "}