31 Garda stations to shut around the country

THIRTY-ONE Garda stations around the country will close, more will reduce opening hours and Garda overtime and allowances will be cut, Justice Minister Alan Shatter announced yesterday.

Associations representing the force last night warned of a rise in crime in those areas affected by the station closures.

Mr Shatter revealed details of the closures as he announced that his gross current expenditure funding was down from €2.4 billion to €2.261bn (-6%).