Fine Gael Leader, Enda Kenny, TD, has received information from the Justice Minister, Dermot Ahern, TD, that the construction of Ballyvary Garda Station will be progressed only on the basis of accommodation priorities of An Garda Síochána. The Minister confirmed that alternative Garda accommodation has been provided in Ballyvary but made no solid commitment to ensuring the provision of a new permanent station. This has been raised in the Dail on countless occasions in the past but little or no progress has taken place despite previous commitments over the years, said Deputy Kenny.
“This is another example of the current Fianna Fail and Green Party Government attempting to pass the buck for progressing issues affecting our county. I had previously received replies in the Dail that a new station would be built by early 2008 but these commitments appear to be long forgotten. I am very disappointed that this attitude is being adopted toward the provision of a vital public service in a rural area with many elderly and vulnerable people. More so, it is completely unacceptable that the commitments made in the past appear to be abandoned leaving Ballyvary with no permanent Garda station since the previous building has since been demolished. I will continue to campaign on this issue and remind this Government of the forgotten commitments it has made to the people of County Mayo over the years.”
