7% of 560 stations have lost all full-time gardaí assigned to them

A growing number of towns and villages with Garda stations no longer have a dedicated garda, with eight stations losing their last permanent officer last year.

Figures obtained under Freedom of Information legislation show 7% of the country’s network of over 560 stations have lost all full-time gardaí assigned to them. Official garda figures show almost 40 stations are now policed by officers from neighbouring stations.

The total includes 12 stations which no longer have a dedicated garda based in the community since 2015.