Irish Examiner view: Local gardaí are essential for proper policing 

The fallout in terms of breaking the connection between communities and police was stressed this week by the Garda Representative Association

The removal of garda services and stations has had a particularly acute effect on rural Ireland. Picture: Julien Behal/PA

Everyone has an opinion on policing and public safety, and while this is not the same thing as being an expert, that has never held back energetic discussion of those topics.

One core belief in this area is the significance of police visibility and presence, not just as a clear deterrent to crime, but as the marker of police officers who are an intrinsic part of the community rather than a force which enters that community on occasions which lend themselves to confrontation.