Gardaí to highlight 'neglected' stations

Garda officers are meeting today in Dunmanway Garda Station to highlight that it is one of the ten worst in the country.

The Garda Representative Association (GRA) claims officers have to work under deplorable conditions as a result of long term neglect from both the Department of Justice Department and the Office of Public Works.

The West Cork town’s original Garda station closed five years ago and a temporary facility has since been in place.

In October 2005, Justice Minister Michael McDowell pledged to resolve the issue while on a visit to the town.

GRA general secretary PJ Stone is holding a press conference in the temporary Garda station to highlight the concerns of the force and the community.

“The town has been plagued by a long standing public order problem, exacerbated by virtually no modern policing equipment and scant Garda numbers,” a GRA spokesman said.

“The people of Dunmanway deserve better and local members of an Garda Siochana will tolerate this situation no longer.”

According to the GRA, the ten worst stations in the country are: Ballincollig, Ballinhassig, Ballymun, Buncrana, Doon, Dunmanway, Easkey in Co Mayo, Finglas, Tralee and Wexford.