Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 5 May 1992

Vol. 419 No. 1

Written Answers. - Taughmaconnell (Roscommon) Garda Station.

John Connor

Question:

103 Mr. Connor asked the Minister for Justice if he will confirm that he has received a petition signed by 544 people in the Taughmaconnell/Ballinasloe area of County Roscommon requesting the reinstatement of a Garda presence in Taughmaconnell Garda station which has been closed for almost three years; if he will recommend the appointment of a Garda to this station to the Garda Commissioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Justice (Mr. Flynn)

I can confirm that I have received a petition requesting a resident Garda in Taughmaconnell.

The Garda authorities report that there is a Garda assigned to Taughmaconnell Garda station on a permanent basis. The officer in question has been working in the district for some time and resides approximately six miles from the station. The accommodation at the station became vacant earlier this year and I am informed by the Garda authorities that, unfortunately, in this case no Garda from the Roscommon/Galway East Division or neighbouring Divisions is interested in occupying the accommodation at Taughmaconnell at present. It is the policy of the Garda authorities to encourage members to reside in the areas in which they are stationed. However, the Garda Commissioner cannot compel a member to do so.

Taughmaconnell sub-District forms part of the community policing initiative for rural areas which was introduced last September. The station is open for two hours each day and is patrolled regularly by mobile units from Ballinasloe. The Garda authorities are satisfied that the current policing arrangements are adequate to meet the policing requirements for Taughmaconnell. They inform me that there were a total of 14 crimes reported in the Taughmaconnell sub-District over the past three years which, without being complacent, is a very low figure.