Hopes barracks will be a tourist mecca

Its death warrant may not come into effect until the end of the month, but already the lights are out at the Garda station in Ballyduff in Co Waterford, after it was designated for closure under the Government’s latest plan.

While the move came as no shock to the local people, and while other areas may suffer more from rural crime, it still marks the end of a chapter of local history stretching back to 1926.

The station in Ballyduff is one of two, along with Stradbally, whose policing will be done from Leamybrien in future, in the county condemned to closure.