Reorganisation sees Loughrea lose traffic corps base

The Garda traffic corps in Loughrea is to be moved into a centralised location in Oranmore – resulting in at least six members of the force being taken from their existing area.

And the move has led to fears of increased rural crime in the East Galway area – to the point that the matter is to be raised at next week’s meeting of the Joint Policing Committee.

There has been much controversy over the reduction in the number of cars available to the Gardaí across Galway city and county sparking fears of an increase in rural burglaries.

But now it has been confirmed that the traffic corps attached to Loughrea will be moved to Oranmore which also houses the traffic corps for Galway city.

And fears have been expressed that the only other traffic corps in the county, which is located in Tuam, will also be eventually moved to a centralised location. There are currently around a dozen officers attached to the traffic corps there.

However, Garda chiefs insist that Loughrea will still be covered by mobile patrols as is currently the case but the removal of cars from the station has been hugely criticised.

Mayor of Loughrea, Cllr. James Regan, said that the move, which will take place in the middle of September, was not a welcome one and had already struck fear into the local community.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.