Dáil debate over garda station closures

The Dáil will today debate a Fianna Fáil motion calling on the Minister for Justice to reverse the decision to shut down almost 100 garda stations this week.

Fianna Fáil is also putting pressure on Minister Alan Shatter to re-open the garda training facility in Templemore and to recruit more gardaí.

During the debate, which comes in the wake of the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Dohonoe in Dundalk, the Dáil will be told that rural communities are living in fear.

Fianna Fáil's Justice spokesperson Niall Collins says gardaí are being starved of resources.

“I have consistently asked Alan Shatter how low will he allow the force dwindle to before he reopens recruitment and training of new members. He refuses point blank to answer that question.

“We are reaching a situation where communities are feeling very vulnerable.”