Recommendation to reopen Bawnboy Garda Station welcomed
The recommendation by gardaí for the reopening of Bawnboy station has been welcomed by local politicians.
Acting Garda Commissioner Dónall Ó Cualáin confirmed that the reopening of Bawnboy Garda station has been recommended by An Garda Síochána. Bawnboy is one of six stations earmaked in a report provided to the Department of Justice earlier this week. The recommendation now goes to the Office of Public Works to assess the remedial works required.
Fine Gael Senator for Cavan, Joe O’Reilly said he was “delighted” with the news.
“Following this recommendation, An Garda Síochána will have to liaise with the Office of Public Works in order to identify the remedial works necessary in the station building. This will allow for the timeframe and cost of reopening the station to be determined.
“In addition to this, an analysis will be undertaken to identify the required number of staff and vehicles for each station in addition to the ICT equipment and resources which will be necessary.
“Following the completion of these stages, I am pleased to say that the reopening of Bawnboy Garda station will become a reality.
“I am pleased with this positive news for Bawnboy as confirmed by the acting Garda Commissioner when he appeared in front of the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee.
“This will greatly benefit the local community in Bawnboy and the surrounding areas.”
Whilst Deputy Niamh Smyth welcomed the development for the West Cavan village, she said more stations should also reopen.
The Fianna Fáil deputy said: “A total of 139 stations closed around the country between 2012 and 2013. Among these were Newbliss, Corrinshigo, Stradone and Shantonagh in the constituency of Cavan/Monaghan.
"I am appealing to the Minister to now review again the stations whose doors remain closed and ensure a stronger Garda presence within some of our most rural and vulnerable communities across Cavan and Monaghan. It’s a pity that some of these buildings have been sold out of state ownership. One of the criteria is that they must be in state ownership.”
Deputy Smyth concluded: “Today is a small step but it doesn’t go far enough. We need more Garda stations reopened. I want to take this opportunity to commend the residents of West Cavan for their continuous campaigning on this issue.
Epidemic
“Rural crime is an epidemic at present. I along with my colleagues have raised this matter consistently in the Dáil. We need more Gardaí on the ground and pivotal to that is their bases in rural Ireland – the Garda Station. I have organised a public meeting to discuss the issue of crime in this constituency on Monday, December 4 in Bailieborough.
“Fianna Fáil’s Spokesperson on Justice Jim O’Callaghan will be in attendance, as will members of the gardaí and community groups providing advice. I urge members of the public to come along and address their concerns.”