This article is from page 4 of the 2012-12-11 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
A NEW era in policing County Clare, which includes the closure of eight Garda Stations and the downgrading of two Garda Divisions, has caused concerns for many communities across the county.
Those representing the elderly said those living alone in rural Ireland are particularly concerned at the loss of the “local garda”.
Last night, police chiefs were meeting with people in Inagh to allay fears and explain how the new system would work. Former Superintendent Frank Guthrie, who is now involved with the Inagh Housing Association said, “A lot of people, especially older people, favour the old-style policing and confiding in their local garda. They felt safe. The meeting is really to see how this will be dealt with,” he said of the “new concept in policing”.
The majority of the Clare stations to close are along the west coast and in rural East Clare, including Quin, Inagh, Lahinch, Broadford, Mountshannon, Doonbeg, Kilmihil and Labasheeda. Ennistymon and Killaloe District Garda Headquarters will be downgraded, and the administrative responsibility will come under the Ennis and Kilrush District Headquarters.
None of the stations to close were open 24 hours a day but six of the sta- tions had their own gardaí stationed there.
With the closure of the stations, the garda serving in Quin will now be reassigned to Ennis, the gardaí in Inagh and Lahinch will be stationed in Ennistymon, the Broadford garda will now be based in Ardnacrusha, Mountshannon in Killaloe and the Doonbeg garda will be working out of Kilrush Garda Station.
Labasheeda and Doonbeg stations were provided with a garda from Kilrush every weekday from 10am to 1pm and at the weekend from noon until 2pm. These stations will also close.
Many of the stations to close in Clare have served their communities since before the state was formed, with many RIC barracks in a previous life. Broadford was one such barracks and, up until 1993, the station had a sergeant and guard. In 1993, a staffing reduction removed the sergeant from the station
Local councillor Cathal Crowe (FF) described the closure of the station as “an attack on rural Ireland”.
“Broadford Garda Station serves a large area of East Clare and includes the communities of Kilmore, Truagh, Oatfield, Ballyquin, O’Callaghan’s Mills, Kilbane and, or course, Broadford village. The station currently operates on a part-time basis and roundthe-clock coverage for this area is given by gardaí stationed in Killaloe. The presence of Broadford Garda Station gives the people of East Clare a great sense of security. Elderly people in the locality have been very vocal in voicing their concerns for what the closure of the station could bring.”
Those supporting the Government have also raised concerns about the closure of the eight Clare Garda Stations.
Clare Labour Party National Executive Member Seamus Ryan called on the Government to rethink the course of action. “While the Commissioner is operating under the same financial constraints as so many people and the Government, it is short-sighted on the part of the force to abandon these facilities in favour of patrols and cover from other stations, some of which are up to 20km away and are themselves part-time and up to 25km to a 24-hour station for communities like Mountshannon.
TD Timmy Dooley (FF) described it as an “appalling attack” on communities across the county. “Clare has fared one of the worst in Minister Shatter’s hitlist. Within the next six months, Clare will have eight less garda stations and many of our communities will have lost their local station.”