Additional rural Garda resources welcomed by Minister

From next Monday, June 8, Ballynacargy and Ballymore Garda stations will be assigned additional Gardaí. The two stations will have their staff number increased with the addition of an additional officer.

Fianna Fáil Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Robert Troy, welcomed confirmation this morning that the additional Garda resources have been assigned to the two rural Westmeath Communities.

“This is very positive news for both communities and will have a hugely positive impact,” Deputy Troy said, “I have been highlighting a number of rural areas to my colleague, Minister Jim O’Callaghan, and have had a number of discussions with Garsa management locally around the need for additional rural policing resources.

“I am delighted that these additional Gardai will be put in place with immediate effect.”

Ballynacargy Garda Station has traditionally had two Gardai assigned, however since a retirement 18 months ago only one Garda member has been based in the village. The allocation of an additional Garda will bring the station back to its full complement. Ballymore Garda Station has been serviced part time from Athlone Garda Station for the past 12 years since being downgraded from a full-time station.

“It is clear that we need to focus more on community policing and ensure resources are in place across our rural Garda station network. The benefit of a locally based Garda who is in touch with the needs of a community is hugely important today and I look forward to seeing additional resources such as these rolled out across more communities,” concluded Minister Troy.