asked the Minister for Justice if, in view of the greatly increased and increasing amount of work falling to be done by the gardaí at Rathcormac station, County Cork, he will consider having the number of gardaí stationed there increased.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - County Cork Garda Station.
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I have consulted the commissioner on this question and he informs me that he is satisfied that the present strength is fully adequate.
As part of the general review of the distribution of the force which is now in progress, future arrangements for the policing of the area are being examined by the commissioner, with the help of the Garda Research and Planning Unit, but at this stage I can give no indication of the outcome.
The Minister stated that Rathcormac Garda Station is on the main Cork/Dublin road but it is on the main Fermoy/Cork City road. Only two gardaí have been working there for the last three months. This area includes the Castlelyons co-operative creamery which has been the object of many robberies over the last few years. Will the Minister consider giving an extra man to service the entire area?
The reason why there was only a sergeant and one garda there for the past two months is that the other garda was ill. I understand he is now back on duty, so the problem should ease off as a result.
Neither the citizens of Rathcormac nor the gardaí are satisfied that even with the man back on duty this area is being properly policed. I would ask the Minister to look into the matter and appoint a third garda to the station.
The commissioner advises me that one sergeant and two gardaí are able to carry out the work adequately.
Knowing the location as he does will the Minister personally look into the matter?
I feel that the commissioner and the senior officers of the Garda Síochána, who are professional policemen, are better equipped to make judgments on these purely professional matters than I am.
The Minister is closing stations in areas where the population is far greater than it is in Rathcormac. In my view three gardaí should be adequate for Rathcormac.