No assurance on 24-hour service at Salthill Garda Station

The future of a 24-hour service at Salthill Garda Station cannot be guaranteed as the force is restructured, the City Joint Policing Committee (JPC) has been told.

Chief Superintendent Tom Curley said that while the future of Salthill Station was not in doubt, there could well be a change in its operation as the focus shifts to having Gardaí on the streets rather than in several stations to answer the phone.

The issue was raised by Galway City West Councillor Donal Lyons (Ind) who said concern was growing over the station’s future.

Referring to issues of anti-social behaviour in the area in recent weeks, Cllr Lyons said: “Last week, people were asked to ring 999 rather than Salthill Garda Station.

“We were previously given assurances [that the station’s future was secure] but there is worry in some circles that changes are afoot,” he said.

Chief Supt Curley said that a call to 999 was a priority call and that would have been the reason calling it was recommended.

He said there was a dearth of Gardaí in both Galway City and County and that was something he had previously made representations about to Garda HQ.

“Part of the Garda Commissioner’s plan is that we redeploy Gardaí onto the street and look at how we are doing our business.

“Can I justify having a Garda sitting in six centres in the city, or should I look at having one centre staffed by three or four Garda staff? That would mean six extra Gardaí out on the streets, or three patrol cars,” he said.

The Chief reiterated assurances that Salthill Station’s future was secure but didn’t rule out changes to its operation.

“Salthill is not closing and will be there in the future. What that may mean is if someone rings after 6pm, the call could be answered somewhere else, but the same service will be given,” said Chief Supt Curley.