Gardaí assigned to rural areas in community plan

West Cork initiative an attempt to bridge policing gaps created by recessionary manpower shortage

Dozens of gardaí are being assigned to take responsibility for specific housing estates and rural communities in coastal West Cork in an initiative believed to be the first of its kind in the country.

Directed by Chief Superintendent Tom Hayes in the Cork West Garda Division, he envisages the project as vital to bridging gaps in certain Garda services in rural Ireland.