Burglaries decrease by 24% over last 10 months

Michael Cryan Cavan/Monaghan's most senior garda has claimed that burglaries in the region had decreased by 24% over the past 10 months, despite the closure of a number of stations. Chief Superintendent Jim Sheridan made the statement at the November meeting of Cavan County Council on Monday when he was grilled on the proposed closure of stations in the county. "The closing of garda stations ultimately lies with the Minister for Justice, Alan Shatter. There is a review going on right across the country in all 17 districts," he revealed. One district that would be most affected in this region was Ballyconnell, which was proposed to amalgamate with Cavan. A total of three stations were closed in the district, he stated. Bawnboy member Sean Smith claimed it was totally inappropriate to close any stations along the border. People have to realise that trouble still existed in the North and it was imperative that stations remained open. "I believe it was a retrograde step to close the army barracks in Cavan town as well," he said. Fellow West Cavan representative Peter McVitty hoped that some of 170 new garda patrol cars would come to Cavan/Monaghan. Cllr John Paul Feeley enquired what the implications would be for Ballyconnell if it was not a division any more. "Ballyconnell is unique as it covered the whole of West Cavan down to Blacklion which has an open prison and is adjacent to the border." There would be a difficulty getting a patrol car to Blacklion, Dowra, and Glangevlin, he noted. Fianna Fail member Danny Brady pointed out that force numbers had reduced by 2,000 at a time when there was a rise in crime. Aiden Boylan stated it was important to have patrol cars in towns like Cootehill. East Cavan member Shane P O'Reilly's biggest fear was the for the rural part of the Cavan which had an elderly population. He found it reprehensible that a station like Mullagh should be downgraded, which had seen at 47% increase in population. Sinn Fein's Paddy McDonald said, "If we do close these stations, we leave ourselves open to the criminals." He would like to see more gardai on the streets. His colleague Damien Brady claimed as a person who worked in the emergency service, who rely on the assistance of gardai, the closing of stations would hinder them. Patricia Walsh of FF was totally opposed to the closing of stations, while chairman Paddy O'Reilly stated that a lot of criminals were travelling down from Dublin to raid East Cavan and could be back in the capital in an hour. Chief Supt. Sheridan informed the meeting that since the reduction of garda members a roster system had been introduced and they had to look at how they supply their service. While Ballyconnell was under review it would not lose its 24 hour status and services would be provided, he announced. Extra funding had been provided for new patrol cars and he was hopeful the district would get some. "We are not exempt from cuts and we have to work with what he have." Responding to Cllr Shane P. O'Reilly's point that Bailieboro had witnessed a plethora of superintendents in recent years, Chief Supt Sheridan said he had no control over how long a Supt. remained in a station.