Glynn Garda Station to re-open as gardaí bolster rural presence
AFTER lying idle for over seven years, Glynn Garda Station is to re-open its doors as part of a major new focus on rural policing.
The Glynn station is one of six rural stations across the Wexford District which will see increased resources as Wexford Gardaí aim to put a focus on ‘ high-visibility policing’.
The new move will see two gardaí deployed to Glynn, Rosslare Harbour, Rosslare Strand, Kilmore Quay, Taghmon and Castlebridge Garda stations all of which will now see more regular opening hours and increased garda presence.
Local county councillor Garry Laffan was particularly delighted to see a renaissance for the Glynn station.
‘Well when you think of it there’s no station currently between Wexford and Clonroche and that’s a big area,’ he said. ‘ The addition of two gardaí to the area is very welcome and it’s all part of the focus on high visibility to combat a spike in criminality in these areas.
Hopefully this should be up and running as early as next week.’
Supt Jim Doyle said that the re-deployment of gardaí to rural areas is something they had been looking at for some time.
‘ The vision was to make sure that these communities are well policed,’ he said. ‘We want to reassure people living in these areas that they have local gardaí and the areas are well policed. Glynn garda station had been lying idle for a while. The rest were manned but not to any major extent.’
Supt Doyle said that he hoped that the six stations would now provide a platform for people to engage with their local gardaí.
‘I would envisage that these stations will be open mostly in the mornings,’ he said. ‘Obviously, with two gardaí you can’t provide 24/7 cover.
‘I would imagine the stations will be open to the public in the mornings and the gardaí would spend the afternoons carrying out inquiries and investigations.’
In addition to these developments, Supt Doyle added that an extra Sergeant and four gardaí will be moving to Rosslare Harbour to supplement the four already at the port for immigration. He said that the move was particular important given the increased traffic through the port brought by the arrival of Brittany Ferries sailings to Spain and France.
This, along with the move to bolster rural garda stations was welcomed by Chairman of the Rosslare Muncipal District Cllr Ger Carthy.
‘I’ve been calling for this for a long time through the Joint Policing Committee,’ he said. ‘It’s great to see rural areas get an increase in policing and I’d also welcome the four new gardaí and a sergeant to work in immigration at the port. I would, however, call for a further investment in facilities down there, like a proper station.’