Garda station closures

Garda station closures: see this week's Westmeath Examiner for how the affected communities feelLetter from Irish Rural LinkDear FriendThe proposed closure of 100 Garda stations in 2013 as announced by Minister Alan Shatter is a huge blow for communities that are affected. Linked to the closures of 2012, this action represents the greatest single change in rural policing in over a century.Clearly communities cannot accept that there is an alternative policing plan available. The reason is simple. They have not been consulted in any form or shape about these decisions; nor indeed is there any acceptable re-assurance offered.Irish Rural Link is asking the communities who are affected and the communities who have lost out in the past few years to link together as a means of opposing these measures.In opposing these measures it is important that we will put forward proposals that will seek to re-assure communities that long term policing will prioritised by the Department of Justice and the office of the Garda Commissioner.As a means of formulating these proposals we are outlining three principles in which we are asking all concerned to discuss.A proper consultative process around rural policing between the Dept of Justice and communities.That any garda closure should be matched by a properly constructed community policing plan to be agreed between the Garda commissioner and the communities concerned.That isolated rural areas be guaranteed a garda presence until such time as adequate police plans are in place and acceptable to the community.We believe that the long term future of policing in rural Ireland is now at stake and the informed discussion should be based on these principles. The current impasse where the Department of Justice are announcing decisions which have do not have the confidence of rural communities is not acceptable in any democracy.If you agree with this and wish to become involved in addressing this situation; we are asking you to make contact with this office giving your name address and contact details.- Seamus Boland, Irish Rural linkMap of proposed closures - IRL are making contact with the communities affected by the closures (see below) - for more go to www.irishrurallink.iehttps://maps.google.ie/maps/ms?msid=212817899489582494476.0004d07eb33502111d916&msa=0