Last week, 165 new members of An Garda Síochána were sworn in.
Of those, just two have been posted to the Donegal Garda Division.
It is, of course, to be welcomed that the force is being bolstered, but Donegal remains in dire need of a significant increase in garda recruits.
Recent news that Donegal will remain as a stand-alone Garda Division came as a boost to those who feared a further downgrade and the appointment of Goretti Sheridan as the new Chief Superintendent was another positive step.
However, it is evident that the current volume of active gardai in Donegal is inadequate.
Last weekend alone, the Letterkenny Roads Policing Unit arrested six motorists on suspicion of drug-driving during a 48-hour period. Gardai have confirmed that cocaine was the most prevalent drug detected.
Drugs are an utter scourge to communities the length and breadth of this county,
Just last month, €751,500 worth of cannabis was seized in Donegal Town.
This week, a brother and sister appeared in court after a cache of drugs worth an estimated €26,650 was found. The consignment included quantities of cannabis, MDMA, ketamine and cocaine.
It is clear that the re-established drugs unit has had some success, but it too is working off a severely curtailed number of detectives.
In all, Donegal has just over 430 Garda personnel employed, with around 360 of those gardai.
The spiraling drugs problem is entering out-of-control territory – and more needs to be done to assist an understrength force tackling the issue.
Donegal is surrounded by 93km of a border with Northern Ireland and 1,100km of coastline.
The lights are barely on in border garda stations these days. Across Donegal, stations like Churchill and Doochary are permanently gone with others like Kerrykeel, Annagry, Ramelton, Rathmullan, Carrigart, Carrigans and Burtonport having virtually no manpower.
Unless this problem is addressed urgently by those at the top echelons of the force, gardai on the ground will continue to fight a losing battle.
They – and the people and the communities they serve – deserve better.
