43 stations operate without dedicated garda

The number of garda stations without a permanent garda has continued to rise, despite a net increase of 600 in the size of the force last year.

New figures show that 43 garda stations were operating without a dedicated garda assigned to them at the end of 2017 — almost 8% of the country’s network of more than 560 stations.

Eight stations lost their permanent garda last year: Rosscarbery, Co Cork; Ballintra and Ramelton, Co Donegal; Ballycroy, Co Mayo; Kilconnell and Rosmuc, Co Galway; Kilmacow, Co Kilkenny; and Toomevara, Co Tipperary.