Galway to lose up to 20 Garda stations

Date Published: 04-Apr-2012

As many as 20 Garda Stations across County Galway have been earmarked for closure over the next couple of years as part of savage cuts to policing that will be implemented by the Government.

No part of the country will be spared as small rural Garda Stations are set for the chop with officers being forced into nearby bigger stations.

And with the reduction in the number of Garda cars available to the force, it has been suggested that officers will soon be forced back to the bicycle to patrol rural areas of the county.

The announcement of further closures has increased fears that rural areas will become more vulnerable to attack from roaming gangs of criminals.

It has also prompted rural communities to come together and revive community alert schemes as well as encouraging locals to become the ‘eyes and ears’ for their elderly neighbours.

Senior Garda sources have told The Connacht Tribune that ‘one man’ Garda Stations located in areas where crime is exceptionally low will be axed first.

Last week it was confirmed that Galway will lose 13 patrol cars with just one being replaced. If more rural stations are to be closed, it means that there will be a serious reduction in Garda presence in many rural areas.

In Galway West, Garda Stations in Carna, Inverin, Rosmuc, Recess and Leenane could be under threat. In the east of the county the futures of Garda stations in Monivea, Kilcolgan, Ardrahan, Kiltormer, New Inn, Ahascragh, Killimor, Corofin, Kilconly, Barnaderg, Milltown, Ballymoe and Williamstown are all in doubt.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.