|
Just eight Gardaí to police Foyle
area
27.03.14
JUST eight Garda
officers currently police the entire Foyle area
including Muff, Redcastle, Moville and Greencastle,
it's been revealed.
Local election candidate Mary McCauley said she is
"deeply concerned" about the drop in Garda numbers
in such a large geographical area.
Figures released to the Fianna Fáil candidate and
her T.D., colleague Charlie McConalogue show that
Moville Garda Station lost five guards in the last
seven years. Only four Gardaí are now based in
Moville.
Coupled with Muff Garda Station, a total of only
eight Gardaí are now responsible for the Foyle area. |
“I am concerned about
the downward trend of these latest figures. It is
indeed a worrying statistic when we consider
Inishowen as a whole officially lost two Garda
stations in 2013," said the mother-of-five.
“We now have a situation whereby there are less
guards covering the entire Foyle area than were
based in one station in 2007 - Moville had nine
Guards at this time along with Muff’s three.”
The Fianna Faíl candidate added: “Due to our
proximity to the border, I would think that it was
imperative that we had more Garda cover, however it
is clear that this Government thinks otherwise. |
|
Mary McCauley. |
"There is no doubt that
this is an issue that is causing concern in the
community as people have raised it with me on the
doorsteps.
“I believe that the protection of local services is
crucial for the survival of local communities. Garda
services are a vital part of this. In Inishowen as a
whole, Garda stations have already been closed,
local health services have been cut and funding for
local amenities and roads have also been cut.” She
said she and Deputy McConalogue would work to oppose
and highlight these cuts "to ensure local
communities are protected". |
|