THE number of specialist road safety gardai in Donegal has been whittled by a third, new figures have shown.
According to the stats form the Department of Justice and An Garda Síochána, local Garda numbers within Donegal’s Roads Policing Units have dropped by nearly 30% in the last 17 years.
Personnel decreased by 10 from 34 in 2009 to 24 in March past with the two specialised gardaí sharing 12 roads policing vehicles between them, it has been revealed.
Dail TD Pearse Doherty said: “There has been a significant reduction in numbers of Roads Policing Gardaí in Donegal and the response from Dublin is that every garda has to do road policing as part of their duties.
“But that’s different from dedicated, specialist gardaí and something has to be done here.”
The figures were released in response to parliamentary questions from deputies Michael Murphy and Emer Currie.
Meanwhile, a broken-hearted relative of Leon posted this touching tribute online: “Words can’t describe the pain I’m feeling.
“Losing you has turned my world upside down. You were always the best cousin in the world.
“You were more a brother to me and I can’t imagine what life is gonna be like without you.”
Another wrote: “They’re with the angels now. Fly high Caoilan and Leon, taken too soon and you will be forever missed.”
The funeral Mass of Caoilan Bushe is at 1pm on Wednesday in the Church of the Holy Redeemer, Drimarone, with burial in the Cranny Road Cemetery, Frosses.
A death notice for Leon Shovlin stated: “Deeply regretted by his mother Corinna and father Alan Blanking and all his relatives, neighbours and friends. Funeral arrangements later.”