THE TWO biggest organisations representing Garda members have expressed fears the Government may use data indicating low levels of recorded crime at most Garda stations as a charter for further station closures.

The Garda Representative Association (GRA), which represents 11,200 rank-and-file gardaí in a force of 13,500, said further closures would damage policing and undermine public confidence in the force. The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI), which represents middle-management ranks, expressed its concern no research had been compiled on the impact of station closures.

The comments follow the publication of crime figures in The Irish Times that revealed 80 per cent of Garda stations recorded one crime or less per day last year, with 41 per cent recording one crime or less per week.

See. There’s your problem right there.

Gardaí fear crime rates will be used to justify closures (Conor Lally, Irish Times)

(Pic: Oisin)