Three Garda stations to close next year

Paul Neilan Three Garda stations will close next year as part of a money-saving 'restructuring' announced yesterday (December 5). Minister for Justice Alan Shatter has announced that he will shut 100 stations nationally with the county losing three rural bases - Stradone, Redhills and Bawnboy Garda stations. The Anglo Celt exclusively reported the closures of the stations as far back as June and had information that a further three were on a list of possible closures. A rank-and-file Garda representative this morning described the closures as a serious blow to community policing. The three stations are each manned by a single Garda, who will now be re-deployed to their nearest neighbouring station. Bawnboy, which was open from 10am-1pm from Monday to Saturday and 12-2pm on Sundays will now be served by Ballyconnell, seven kilometres away. Stradone Garda Station, which had the same opening hours will now switch to Cavan Garda Station, 11 kilometres away. Redhills, which was only open from 6-7pm on weekdays, 10am-1pm on Saturdays and 12-2pm on Sundays will also move to Cavan, 16 kilometres away. Minister Shatter described it as the biggest restructuring of Garda resources in the history of the state. In our June exclusive which said six Garda stations were being considered for the chop, the move was criticised by a community development group. Muintir na Tíre representative Vanessa Clarke said it was "only the thin end of the wedge". "When one goes, it becomes common and then policy falls apart, which leads to no services at rural level." See this week's Celt for more reaction and analysis.