by Alan Jacques
THE Government has been strongly criticised for jeopardising the safety of Limerick communities by closing seven Garda stations throughout the county in order to save €28,000 a year.
It has now been revealed that the closure of County Limerick stations in 2012 and 2013 including Shanagolden, Doon, Galbally, Kilfinane, Kilmeedy, Castletown Conyers and Tournafulla, have only resulted in a cost saving of €4,000 per annum for each station.
The information was contained in a response to a Parliamentary Question submitted by Sinn Féin Justice spokesperson Padráig MacLochlainn TD.
Sinn Féin councillor and general election candidate for County Limerick, Seamus Browne, said it is “staggering” that the government would jeopardise the safety and well being of communities, across County Limerick, in an effort to save €28,000 a year.
“I find it infuriating that the government would cut Garda resources in such a viscous manner but even those who consider themselves to be fiscally conservative would have a hard time justifying this one,” he told the Limerick Post.
The Newcastle West councillor believes that misguided decisions to close Garda stations in order to make small savings to the exchequer merely increase the opportunity for criminal activity and add to the uncertainty and fear that people are already experiencing after seven years of austerity.
The Garda District and Station Rationalisation Programme was implemented during 2012 and 2013 and, according to Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald, the primary objective was to “identify opportunities to introduce strategic reforms to enhance service delivery, increase efficiency and streamline practices within the organisation”.
“How can this government claim that they are using policing resources more effectively and efficiently when communities across this constituency feel more vulnerable than ever and rural crime continues to rise?” Cllr Browne asked.
“We have seen stations closed in Shanagolden, Doon, Galbally, Kilfinane, Kilmeedy and Tournafulla. Towns and villages in East Limerick have been particularly hit by the closures of their Garda stations. I just can’t see how government TDs for this constituency can stand over such decisions in order to save a few thousand euro.”
Cllr Browne has called for Garda numbers being brought back to more than 14,000 to be a priority in this week’s budget.
