Depleted Garda force keeps up crime fight

WITH Garda stations closing across the country, people will naturally be alarmed at the latest crime statistics showing an increase of over 2,000 in the number of burglaries in the year up to the end of September.

Tragically, the figures also reflect a rise in the number of murders and manslaughters recorded in the past year.

No doubt, the powers-that-be will argue, and perhaps with some justification, that it makes sense to shut down certain Garda stations, especially those in remote areas where the force already has a limited presence and is operating on a restricted basis.