O’callaghan hits out at rural gardai provisions
FIANNA Fail justice spokesman Jim O’callaghan has demanded the Government make a visible, nationwide Garda presence a priority.
The Dublin Bay South TD said it was important to reassure communities the reopened station will not be the only one to return.
He added: “The decision by Fine Gael to close rural stations in 2013 has had a real impact on rural communities, with many people left isolated by the lack of a visible Garda presence in their towns and villages.
REVIEW
“Restoring a strong Garda presence in rural Ireland must be a priority.
“Any review of Garda stations should be carried out in a fully transparent way and explicitly on a needs basis.
“The selective and sole announcement that Stepaside is reopening is cynical in the extreme.”
He added: “Minister Flanagan needs to reassure people that the report on reopening other Garda stations is published and acted upon.
“If additional resources have become available to reopen the station in Stepaside, it is crucial to examine other urban or rural stations equally, if not more in need of reopening.”