An unusual new policing initiative will see all Gardaí attending funerals in Laois.
Operation Respect will see gardaí in the Laois-Offaly division attend local funerals, where there are three to five deaths on average daily.
The division’s Chief Superintendent John Scanlan announced the plan, and says the aim is to improve community relations and help bereaved families.
Aside from traffic management which is already in place at large funerals, Operation Repsect plans to have a garda in attendance at removals and funerals, from small rural ceremonies to large services.
Chief Superintendent Scanlan said regardless of who has died, the division expects to have a garda in attendance at all removals and funerals.
Increase in garda numbers in Laois
Seventy new gardaí have been appointed to Laois over the past two years after graduating from the garda training college in Templemore.
Once they are trained by experienced officers in Portlaoise, then can then move to other towns and rural areas.
At the last Joint Policing Committee in Portlaoise last April, Chief Superintendent Scanlan said he wants to increase the number of community gardaí throughout Laois, thanks to the increase in recruitment.
Operation Repsect is expected to be rolled out gradually across Laois and Offaly in the coming months.
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