Amid widespread concern that a number of garda stations in the Connemara region are under threat of future closure a local county councillor has moved to allay these fears, stressing that “no decisions” have yet been made.
Cllr Eileen Mannion welcomed the annoucement in the Dail this week by the Minister of Justice, Alan Shatter, that no decisions have been made to close garda stations. Minister Shatter had been addressing the Dail in relation to the number of gardai set to retire this year; it is understood that up to 500 gardai will have retired from An Garda Siochana by the end of the year, and 40 more have indicated their intention to retire next year.
Following recent reports that a number of rural garda stations were at risk of closure, public meetings were held in Rosmuc, Carna, and Letterfrack and a petition has been circulating in Roundstone. According to Cllr Mannion a strategic review of all garda operations is being undertaken by the Garda Commissioner at present to identify areas where savings can be made within An Garda Siochana.
“People are anxious that they will be left vulnerable should their local garda station be closed down. The announcement by the minister that no decisions have been made to close any garda stations should put people’s minds at rest.
“Minister Shatter has said that savings must be made but the Government are anxious to maintain frontline services. While no decision has been made to close garda stations the strategic review being undertaken by the Garda Commissioner might propose the closure of some garda stations.”
Cllr Mannion concluded that she “is totally opposed to the closure of any rural garda station in Connemara”.
