Concerns are rising that gardaí in Donegal will be even more stretched under the new garda policing model.
Councillor Pauric McGarvey has called for a permanent Garda presence in rural villages that have lost their stations.
Speaking at this week’s Letterkenny-Milford MD meeting, Cllr McGarvey said “it’s a sin” that the former Ramelton garda station is lying empty after being purchased by the OPW.
“I think it’s a waste of taxpayers’ money, if they weren’t going to open it, why would they buy it?” Cllr McGarvey asked.
Cllr McGarvey said that gardaí report feeling “stretched” having to cover many local towns such as Kerrykeel, Ramelton, Rathmullan and Carrigart.
Ramelton, he said, being a gateway town, has the potential to be a strategic town where gardaí can stop or reduce crime. He also called for gardaí to be stationed in Rathmullan, saying that it was very beneficial when a garda was in place for the summer months last year.
The new policing model for Donegal provides for two Community Engagement Areas (CEA) based out of Ballyshannon and Buncrana.
Cllr McGarvey said that the new areas are not going to work. “We can’t forget about our rural towns that need a garda presence.”
Cllr McGarvey’s motion was passed, paving the way for Donegal County Council to write to the Garda Chief Superintendent, outlining their urgent concerns and the need to have full-time Gardaí positioned in rural villages with closed stations.
