One-person garda stations protect us all

Many people are concerned about media reports “that the future of one-person garda stations nationwide hangs in the balance.”

There are 40 such stations in Cork. They are in all parts of the county, from Watergrasshill to Whitegate and Glengarriff to Doneraile.

To suggest country areas can be served from locations miles away is ludicrous. Rural policing needs to be stepped up. I compliment Justice Minister Alan Shatter and welcome the recommencing of garda recruitment next year. With rural crime increasing, the one-person stations should remain open and garda recruitment will help in that regard.

Having a garda presence in an area, urban or rural, is the greatest deterrent to criminals. There is a trend of targeting the most vulnerable and, all too frequently, this means old people living alone in isolated areas.

Dublin gangs are 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.

Off-loading criminals into quiet rural areas will solve nothing. Nothing can beat the presence of gardaí on the ground. Instead of removing that presence, the Government should increase it with more patrol cars, coupled with one-person stations. Meanwhile, additional funding should be made available to Muintir na Tire and Neighbourhood Watch groups to progress and update burglar and press-button alarms for the elderly.

For the protection and security of human life, I appeal to the Minister for Justice not to allow the closure of one-person garda stations.

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