Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 18 Dec 2002

Vol. 559 No. 6

Written Answers. - Garda Stations.

Seymour Crawford

Question:

218 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Garda barracks in Cavan-Monaghan which are on call 24 hours per day and seven days per week; the names of such Garda barracks; the distance between each such centre; if he has satisfied himself that there is enough personnel to control night life activity in the other towns and villages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26945/02]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell): I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of personnel and resources to individual areas, that there are seven Garda stations in the Cavan-Monaghan Garda division which are open to the public on a 24 hour basis. These stations are in Monaghan, Bailieboro, Ballyconnell, Carrickmacross, Cavan, Castleblaney and Clones. The distances between these stations are as follows:

Distance from Monaghan to:

Bailieboro	29 miles
Ballyconnell	34 miles
Carrickmacross	27 miles
Cavan	30 miles
Castleblaney	15 miles
Clones	13 miles

Distance from Bailieboro to:

Monaghan	29 miles
Ballyconnell	47 miles
Carrickmacross	15 miles
Cavan	20 miles
Castleblaney	19 miles
Clones	25 miles

Distance from Ballyconnell to:

Monaghan	34 miles
Bailieboro	47 miles
Carrickmacross	43 miles
Cavan	18 miles
Castleblaney	43 miles
Clones	20 miles

Distance from Carrickmacross to:

Monaghan	27 miles
Bailieboro	29 miles
Ballyconnell	43 miles
Cavan	32 miles
Castleblaney	12 miles
Clones	30 miles

Distance from Cavan to:

Monaghan	30 miles
Bailieboro	20 miles
Ballyconnel	18 miles
Carrickmacross	32 miles
Castleblaney	34 miles
Clones	17 miles

Distance from Castleblaney to:

Monaghan	15 miles
Bailieboro	19 miles
Ballyconnell	43 miles
Carrickmacross	12 miles
Cavan	34 miles
Clones	24 miles

Distance from Clones to:

Monaghan	13 miles
Bailieboro	25 miles
Ballyconnell	20 miles
Carrickmacross	30 miles
Cavan	17 miles
Castleblaney	24 miles

Local Garda management is satisfied that the arrangements currently in place in the Cavan-Monaghan division are adequate to meet the present policing needs of the area.

There are 34 Garda stations in the CavanMonaghan division with a total personnel strength of 375 as at 16 December 2002. In the stations that are not open on a 24 hour basis, PACB and call diversion systems are in operation and connected to the relevant district headquarters.

Furthermore, the Garda authorities have informed me that the extension of the current opening hours to 24 hours of the non-24 hour stations would necessitate the employment of Garda personnel on indoor administrative duties. The Garda authorities consider that such personnel would be better utilised on outdoor policing duties.