Rural Garda stations under threat

There was widespread condemnation at the suggested closure of six rural single officer Garda Stations in Westmeath this week.Single officer rural Garda Stations at Ballinahown, Multyfarnham, Castletown-Geoghegan, Rathowen, Ballymore and Glasson could face closure, pending a national review currently being undertaken by Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy.Labour TD Willie Penrose reacted with shock and outrage at the suggestion that the Government could consider closing rural Garda Stations and said he would 'vehemently oppose' any move to close the stations.In Multyfarnham, Cllr Dan McCarthy was equally concerned about the report. 'I am absolutely horrified to think that they would even consider it in view of all of the robberies that have gone on in rural areas,' he said.While canvassing in the Multyfarnham area in recent days, Cllr McCarthy, said he noted that people in remote areas were no longer answering their front doors, opting instead to come out from the back of the house so they cannot be rushed and attacked on answering the door.'They [The Government] have made some very, very dangerous decisions over the last six months but let"s hope with the help of God they are not daft enough to make this decision,' he commented.Coole area Councillor and member of the Westmeath Joint Policing Committee, Cllr Paddy Hill said the move will 'give incentives to the people who rob and steal to go into these areas'. He believes the savings from any possible closures would be minimal and said he would oppose any closures.In Ballymore, Parish Priest Fr. Philip Smith described the Garda presence as 'essential' as it provided a sense of security, particularly for elderly people in the area. 'I think it would be diabolical if it was closed down,' he said.Fr. Smith believes the station will, if anything, be more important to the community over the coming years. He said reassurance was needed in the light of recent high profile raids and robberies.Deputy Penrose said the Government had already caused concern in rural communities during the budget by ending the grant that enables older people to install security devices.'This shameful act will further contribute to older people"s sense of isolation and vulnerability and is callous beyond belief. This scheme provided a valuable lifeline for older people, particularly in rural areas, and ending it is unforgivable,' he commented.Irish Rural Link (IRL) - the national organisation campaigning for sustainable rural communities - expressed anger at reports that rural Garda stations face closure.IRL Chief Executive Seamus Boland said: 'A recent UK study has identified a recession crime wave in rural areas and this is likely to be mirrored in rural areas here. The study describes a 17.5 per cent increase in violent robberies in rural areas of England and Wales over the past year which it directly attributes to the economic downturn.''This will be a major issue in the run up to the local elections and we would hope all voters inform themselves of the proposed fate of their local Garda station before heading to the polls.' Mr. Boland concluded.When contacted by the Westmeath Examiner, the Garda Press Office said a statement was being prepared in relation to the matter. The statement was unavailable at the time of print.