It’s feared six rural garda stations in West Clare could face closure as public sector retirements take their toll on local policing resources.
Clare’s Chief Superintendent has confirmed the county’s garda numbers could be reduced by as many as 36 members by the new year, and with no garda recruitment envisaged in the near future, the running of all stations is under review.
The situation was outlined at a public meeting of the Joint Policing Committee in Sixmilebridge last night.
Clare’s garda numbers went down by 18 last year, mainly through retirement, while so far in 2011 5 local Gardaí have retired – 7 more will go before Christmas, and according to Chief Superintendent John Kerin, another 7 or 8 could retire by next February.
With no garda recruitment happening due to public sector cutbacks – the situation looks bleak for Clare’s rural Garda stations, particularly in West Clare, where one sergeant and five Gardaí are to retire from 6 smaller stations.
Addressing public concerns last night, Chief Superintendent Kerin said the stations may not close – but may have gardaí present in future for a couple of hours each day – he added that the Garda Commissioner is looking at the implications of retirements and he has to look at manning areas differently.
The Chief Superintendent said there was no fear for bigger garda stations in Clare, though personnel numbers could be cut, and he pledged to redeploy gardaí or to ensure that gardaí would maintain a presence in rural areas in their cars and may even attend local community centres or businesses where stations are forced to close. – The full situation won’t be known, he added, until next February or March
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