GARDA Commissioner
Fachtna Murphy has moved to calm fears that some
rural Garda stations including Clonmany will be
closed.
Mr Murphy said "confusion" had arisen in recent days
about rural stations. Speaking at the Garda
Superintendents Association annual conference in
Dublin this week, Mr Murphy said: “The Garda
accommodation strategy is not targeted towards
recommending the closure of Garda stations.
"The aim of this strategy is clear and simple. It is
about ensuring that Garda accommodation is safe,
secure and fit for operational purpose to facilitate
the ongoing delivery of the highest and most
up-to-date standards of professional policing into
the future." The Garda Commissioner said a network
of Garda stations was a "key tool" of effective
policing. He said the station network was also
needed for the successful implementation of the
National Model of Community Policing which he
recently launched with Justice Minister Dermot
Ahern.
The Garda Accommodation Programme Board was set up
in early 2008 to prepare a long-term accommodation
strategy for policing around the country.
"Its aim is to establish future accommodation needs,
with particular reference to policy and policing
requirements, current buildings and facilities,
their condition, location and development
requirements," added a Garda spokesperson.
The strategy will provide an estimate for the cost
of works required to improve the Garda estate and
its facilities. Consultations between Garda
management and Garda associations and civilian
unions are currently ongoing. |
