The Castleisland Garda station dates back to the time of the RIC. It was the target of an arson attack on 3 March forcing the gardaí who man the station to move into two portacabins at the rear of the station which neither in its former nor present condition is suitable for the two sergeants and six gardaí to carry out their normal every day policing duties.
The building has no cells in which to detain prisoners, private interview room, public toilet, changing room or showers for the gardaí and so on. It is obvious that the building cannot be used as a Garda station. The gardaí are now forced to operate in the two portacabins. They find it extremely difficult to carry out their duties in these restricted and unusual surroundings. However, they are to be commended on doing such an efficient job in these difficult circumstances and I acknowledge that publicly in the House.
Castleisland Garda station is currently manned by two sergeants and six gardaí. It is made up of two members in each unit, A, B, C and D. The sub-district covers an area of about 96 square miles and there is one patrol car attached to the station. The national primary roads, the N21 and N22, meet at Castleisland and there is a large volume of traffic entering the town especially in the summer when tailbacks of up to one mile are experienced. Castleisland is regarded as the main gateway to Kerry resulting in constant traffic monitoring by the local gardaí. The town has a population of 2,500 who are resident in the town and there are about 2,500 people in the immediate hinterland. At night, the town is very busy especially at the weekends. With only two gardaí on duty they are stretched to the limit. They operate on foot to create high visibility on the streets and prevent disturbances. When arrests have to be made the gardaí escort the prisoners on foot to the station where they are charged. A prisoner who has to be detained is taken to Killarney, 17 miles away, because there are no cells at Castleisland. Taking a prisoner to Killarney leaves Castleisland vulnerable as the gardaí will be away for an hour and a half. Obviously people on the streets are aware of that.
There is need for extra gardaí on each unit as this would allow for a patrol car to patrol the area and be available to take prisoners to the station. It would also deter potential wrongdoers. Five members of the Garda operate as immigration officers at Kerry airport during the summer when there is an increase in the number of cross-channel flights. This puts further pressure on the available manpower at that time.
Crime levels in the Castleisland area over the past three years have been contained to a reasonable level by the hard working gardaí in the station. In 2000, some 50 crimes were committed with a 48% detection rate; 360 warrants were received at the station and 340 of these were executed; 448 summonses were brought before the court and 263 on the spot fines were issued. The gardaí also work with four community watch groups in the area. These operate very successfully in Cordal, Ballymacelligott, Scartaglin and in Castleisland.
It is obvious that as well as providing a new Garda barracks at Castleisland there is need for an increased number of gardaí. There should be three members on each unit to ensure members working at night do so in safety. This would allow a patrol car to operate on each tour of duty. A clerical assistant should be assigned to the station to allow the sergeant in charge to attend to operational duties and not be tied down with clerical work. The local development association in the town has identified three suitable sites for a Garda station. One of these is now for sale. The sites may not be available indefinitely and I urge the Minister to act immediately and acquire one.
When the Minister is driving through Castleisland on his way home this week he should visit the station and see for himself the working conditions of the gardaí at first hand. He would realise it is now time to provide the long awaited Garda station for Castleisland town and district.
