West Cavan Fianna Fáil Councillor John Paul Feeley has demanded reassurance that the Garda Stations in Dowra, Bawnboy and Killeshandra will remain open.
‘Over the past few days reports have circulated in the locality that these and possibly other Garda Stations are to be closed. This in not acceptable. It is a cause of great concern for locals and for members of the Gardai stationed locally.’
Stations such as Dowra cover a large area of rural West Cavan, along with Blacklion it is amongst the most isolated Garda Stations in the Cavan Monaghan Division, both being over twenty miles from the Divisional Headquarters in Ballyconnell.
‘The reduction in Garda cover is simply not acceptable. These stations are under-resourced as they are. But the fact that there is a presence locally allows the Gardai build a relationship with the local community. I want the Chief Superintendant for this region to clarify the situation as a matter of urgency. However, the buck stops at the desk of Alan Shatter, TD, Minster for Justice, Law Reform and Defence.
He must confirm that these rumours are untrue.’
Concluding, Cllr Feeley stated that he and Councillor Sean Smith had spoken to Deputy Brendan Smith who has tabled questions to the Minster for Justice in Dáil Éireann.
‘If there are proposals to close Garda Stations we will oppose such plans completely.’