Shatter: Garda Commissioner looking at more station closures

The Justice Minister Alan Shatter has given a further indication that more Garda stations could be chosen for closure next year.

Thirty-nine have been shut down this year already, leaving 664 stations in operation around the country.

Mr Shatter said crime rates are down across the board, except for burglary, which is the focus of a major Garda crackdown at the moment.

He has also drawn a comparison with Scotland, which has a bigger population than the Republi of Ireland, but has just 340 police stations.

The minister said he will be listening carefully to what the Garda Commissioner has to say when he reports to him in the coming months.

Mr Shatter said: "What I know is that the commissioner is engaged in an overview of stations across the country.

"He will, I expect, in November or late October be presenting to me with his proposed policing plan for 2013 and I have no doubt he is again looking at the closure of stations that have no operational significance."