Concerns about the opening hours at Crossmolina Garda Station have been allayed with the announcment that regular opening hours will be introduced at the station from next Thursday.
A new garda sergeant is also to be allocated to the area.
Superintendent Gerry Donnelly has said the new garda sergeant represents an additional garda member and resource to the Ballina area.
Mayo Fine Gael TD Michelle Mulherin pointed out that irregular opening hours at Crossmolina Garda Station had been causing problems for locals
“I was contacted by a number of locals around Crossmolina complaining that the garda station in Crossmolina is not open on a regular basis,” she said. “This has been causing problems for people needing to see a garda in person.
“In these cases, people have to make a trip into Ballina. This is the cause of undue inconvenience on people, particularly the elderly and those who don't have their own transport. I raised the issue with Superintendent Donnelly and am delighted with his response,” said Deputy Mulherin.
Supt Donnelly confirmed to Deputy Mulherin that a new sergeant will be allocated to Crossmolina, tasked with the responsibility of scheduling regular opening hours.
Deputy Mulherin said the superintendent and other garda members in the area have worked incredibly hard, with great dedication, to keep law and order despite the “turmoil and pressure that our economic woes have brought in the past few years”.
“In this context, the resumption of recruitment to the Garda Training College in Templemore, which recommenced in September this year and the further funding provision in Budget 2015 for recruitment of a further 200 trainee gardaí and €10 million for the purchase of 400 much needed new garda vehicles is concrete evidence that our economic recovery is underway,” she added.
