“Another attack on rural Ireland” is how Independent Galway West TD Noel Grealish has described plans by the Minister for Justice to close more Garda stations.
He said the current plan “sends out the message that rural Ireland is not important and is an easy target for criminals”.
On Monday Minister for Justice Alan Shatter announced at the Association of Garda Sergeants in Ireland conference that he plans to close more Garda stations around the country next year.
“This will undoubtedly result in more Garda stations around Galway closing,” said Dep Grealish. “This is yet another attack on rural Ireland and follows from the Ministers confirmation recently that 12 Garda cars are to be taken off the road in the Galway Division this year.”
The Minister has argued that if people need gardai in the middle of the night it is usually for an emergency and they can dial 999. However Dep Grealish said this shows how “out of touch with life in rural Ireland” Minister Shatter is.
“In rural Ireland, it could take over an hour for the gardai to arrive and even then, only if a Garda car is available,” said Dep Grealish. “This has understandably increased fear and anxiety, particularly among the elderly and those who live alone.”
He said that “at the rate this Minister is going”, there will soon only be Garda stations “in cities and major towns and gardai in rural areas will be patrolling on push bikes
