Report reveals low number of gardaí in stations

A third of garda stations are staffed by just one garda, according to new figures obtained by the Irish Examiner.

The newspaper reports that 205 stations, most of which are in small villages, out of some 600 nationwide, only have one garda.

It has raised the prospect of the closure of more stations next year.

New figures from the Dept of Justice show that another 40 garda stations are without any permanent Garda and up to 88 stations are staffed by just two officers.

The report said overall, there are almost 13,500 members of the Gardaí, a reduction of 6.6% or almost 1,000 people since 2008.

Staffing levels in a quarter of all 108 garda districts have fallen by 10% or more over the past four years, mostly in the border counties.

Limerick has the highest garda presence while Kildare has the lowest.

The Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan will shortly submit his annual policing plan and it is expected to recommend a number of stations for closure.