A Councillor has claimed the newly-revamped Donegal town Garda Station is closed more often than it is open.
A frustrated Cllr Michéal Naughton was speaking at this morning’s meeting of the Donegal Joint Policing Committee (JPC).
A multi-million euro refurbishment of the station on Quay Road was completed in 2020.
Cllr Naughton has also called for the strength of the force in the town to be bolstered.
“The feeling on the ground is that there aren’t enough Gardaí as they are not seen,” he said.
“The new station in Donegal town is closed more often than it is opened – and that needs to be looked at.”
He pointed out that it is high tourism season in Donegal and it is a popular entertainment venue at weekends.
“There is a huge number of people coming into Donegal town on a weekly basis, but the feeling on the ground is that we don’t have enough Gardaí. A Garda was injured in the town and this station takes in a big area. We need an open station in Donegal town.”
Mary McGowan, a Public Participation Network (PPN) representative, said she passes the station several times a day and claimed the door is closed ‘a lot of the time’.
“We need to look at the number of hours Donegal town Garda Station is open for. There is a need for Gardaí in this area,” Ms McGowan said.
Superintendent Karen Duffy said the station provides ‘24-7 cover’ while two Garda staff members look after the public office on a daily basis.
Councillor Naughton, however, said he begged to differ.
“People have said on numerous days that they have rang the doorbell and received no assistance. When the door is closed, it gives off the impression that it is closed. I hear this at every meeting I go to. People are calling this a white elephant now.”
Superintendent Duffy said she will address the matter of when the door to the station is opened
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