Gardaí saddled with €80k horse fair bill

It is costing more than €80,000 in Garda overtime to implement crime prevention measures for the annual Ballinasloe October Fair.

The figures were revealed at a meeting which was convened to discuss the prospect of having Traveller sulky racing in the town for the festival.

It emerged that there were five sergeants and 32 rank-and-file members deployed especially for the event which takes place over an eight-day period. Members of the Emergency Response Unit were also present.

But security for the event has proved extremely expensive for the State as they are facing a bill of around €82,000 in Garda overtime for the duration of the fair.

Chairman of Ballinasloe Municipal Council, Cllr Michael Finnerty said that he was shocked by the Garda bill for overtime. He said that it was given to them at a recent meeting to discuss Traveller sulky racing.

“I am horrified that it is costing so much to maintain a Garda presence and this is something that has to be looked at into the future. It unfortunately conveys the impression that Ballinasloe is a no-go area.

“This is an unacceptable outlay by the State and it is something that we will be addressing at local level. The problems have to be tackled,” Cllr Finnerty added.