DONT FORGET YOUR ELDERLY NEIGHBOURS DURING GARDA STRIKE

Labour spokesperson for Older People, Emmet Stagg, is urging people, particularly in rural or remote communities, to check in on their elderly neighbours in the event of industrial action by Gardaí tomorrow.

“Many older people might understandably be feeling anxious ahead of tomorrow’s planned strike by rank and file Gardaí, especially those who live alone or in remote or isolated parts of the country.

I welcome the news confirmed to my colleague Seán Sherlock in the Dáil yesterday that 999 emergency calls will continue to be answered as usual, but I would ask people to please check in on their older neighbours tomorrow. It’s a simple gesture that would only take a few minutes but would offer tremendous peace of mind to those who might be feeling especially vulnerable.

While certain vital units within the Gardaí such as the Emergency Response and Critical Incident teams are being asked not to strike tomorrow, it is clear that there will be considerably less rank and file Gardaí on the beat.

While the Labour Party hopes an eleventh hour resolution can be found to avert strike action tomorrow, we must move to ensure the most vulnerable groups in our society feel safe in their homes.”