Their search seldom takes in the upper echelons of society. In Cherry Orchard they send in the riot police, when corruption is revealed in the beef industry they have a tribunal and manage to find nobody guilty. Childish notions that the police are there to protect and serve the community soon disappear upon experience. Their primary purpose is to serve and protect the state and it's ruling class. Their use, over many years, to smash picket lines during strikes illustrates that point.
Capitalism continues to open the chasm between rich and poor.
The poorer people get, the less facilities are provided for them. The councils and government ignore the problems, hoping that nothing will happen or blow up before the end of their term in office. The police are often the only representatives of authority in these places. They are there to keep a lid on a growing discontent. Last year over 900 complaints were dealt with by the Garda Complaints Commission, this resulted in just three suspensions from the force.