Plan to shut garda stations shelved

RADICAL proposals to cut the number of local garda stations have effectively been shelved in the short term by the Justice Minister.

A controversial report recommended major changes to the structure of the force, including closing stations and transferring members from local to district offices.

The proposals have met with fierce opposition from garda representatives, with one organisation warning it would throw policing in Ireland back in to the “dark ages.”

Influential middle ranking gardaí believe much of the Strategic Management

Initiative is a business plan that takes little account of policing realities.

The Department of

Justice has moved to ease the fears of some members. Its officials cited a parliamentary answer by Minister Michael McDowell in which he said he has no plans to reduce the opening hours of any station or to alter the number of garda stations.

While the SMI is still being considered by the Government, the publication of the Garda Bill has significantly changed the situation.

Mr McDowell said the Bill provides that the commissioner “will have enhanced responsibilities in preparing proposals for organisational reform.”

“It would be premature to anticipate at this stage what proposals, if any, might be developed by the commissioner in this context.”

The Garda Bill is not expected to be enacted before late next year at the earliest.

Middle ranking gardaí still fear the Government will adopt the SMI as policy, thereby tying Commissioner Noel Conroy’s hands after the bill becomes law.

“He’s not likely to go against stated government policy,” said one source.

The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors president Joe Dirwan said: “Policing in Ireland will go back to the Dark Ages if the Government adopts a recommendation to centralise gardaí in district headquarters.

“Speaking as a professional policeman, this proposal is total nonsense,” he said.