Rural garda stations vital lifeline for communities

TWO separate reports in the Irish Examiner on the closure of rural garda stations and the curtailment in garda patrol cars will set alarm bells ringing in many rural parts of the country, including east Cork.

The first report comes from the general secretary of the Chief Superintendents Association who warns “that the closure of rural garda stations will reduce the flow of intelligence which is vital in preventing and solving crime”.

A related report by Claire O’Sullivan states “that hundreds of garda patrol cars, 4x4s and unmarked cars have been taken off the roads in the past four years — but just half of these vehicles have been replaced with new models.”