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.”

Is the Government aware of the panic this will cause among the elderly living alone in rural Ireland?

Having a garda presence in an area, urban or rural, is the greatest deterrent to criminals. Dublin gangs are now regularly hitting smaller towns and villages, such is the success of the garda effort to combat their activities in their natural habitat.

But exporting the crime problem out of the capital is not the answer. Offloading criminals into quiet rural areas will solve nothing. the fact remains that nothing can beat the presence of gardaí on the ground.

The future of 236 one-person garda stations nationwide hangs in the balance, with 40 such stations in Cork alone, including Cloyne, Ballycotton, Whitegate and the garda station in Carrigtwohill. There is still time for a change of heart — this is one U-turn that any Government would be forgiven for.

Cllr Noel Collins

Midleton

Co Cork