Fine Gael will ensure a safe and secure Co. Wexford – Cllr Cathal Byrne

Wexford FG candidate says party is committed to putting more Gardaí on the streets in Co. Wexford  

People in Co. Wexford can look forward to a range of new safety measures if Fine Gael is returned to Government, a Fine Gael General Election Candidate has said.

Fine Gael has today unveiled a comprehensive plan to strengthen community safety, support An Garda Síochána, tackle domestic and sexual violence, and bolster Ireland’s security and defence capabilities.

Cllr Cathal Byrne  “People in Co. Wexford deserve to be safe and feel safe—whether they’re at home, at work, or walking down their street. That starts with more Gardaí, visible in every community, tackling crime head-on.

“We’re committing to 6,000 new Garda recruits and tripling the Garda Reserve to 3,000. More Gardaí on patrol means safer streets, and so we’ll double the Garda training allowance and open a second Garda training college, with regional universities involved to make joining the force more accessible.

“Every Garda on the beat will be equipped with bodycams, and we’ll roll out facial recognition technology for serious crimes and missing persons cases, cutting through months of CCTV work.

“Crime is evolving, and we need to keep pace. We’ll allow Gardaí to request passwords for digital devices during searches. For community safety, we’ll implement electronic tagging of sex offenders and use Anti-Social Behaviour Orders and community sanctions to tackle public order offences.

“For victims of domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence, Fine Gael will keep zero tolerance as the priority. We’ll introduce specialised Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence (DSGBV) judges, ensuring victims can access counselling without fear, and deliver dedicated family courts.

“Organised crime won’t be tolerated. We’ll strengthen the Criminal Assets Bureau and increase sentences for child sexual abuse, sending a clear message that those who prey on our most vulnerable will face the full force of the law.

“Fine Gael is also investing in our future with the largest prison-building programme in the State’s history, delivering 1,500 new prison spaces.

“The world is changing, and Ireland can’t stand still. From cyber-attacks to hybrid warfare, we must be ready to protect our  people and infrastructure. That’s why we’re committing to increasing Defence spending to €3 billion by 2033, building defence capabilities in line with other European nations.

“Every measure we’re taking is about keeping people safe in Co. Wexford.   Whether it’s putting Gardaí on the streets, fighting modern crime, or strengthening our Defence Forces, Fine Gael is delivering a safe and secure Ireland,” Cllr Cathal Byrne concluded.