Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 21 Nov 1991

Vol. 413 No. 3

Written Answers. - Durrow (Laois) Garda Station.

Tom Enright

Ceist:

62 Mr. Enright asked the Minister for Justice if his attention has been drawn to (1) the fact that the station sergeant at Durrow Garda station, Durrow, County Laois, had been transferred to Portlaoise Garda station some months ago and (2) that there has been no replacement Garda sergeant provided in the intervening time; when he intends to replace the Garda sergeant in Durrow; and the hours Durrow Garda Station is presently open to the public; if he intends to extend the existing opening hours; if his attention has further been drawn to the great concern in the locality regarding the future of this Garda Station; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Justice (Mr. Burke)

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the sergeant vacancy at Durrow station will be filled in due course from the sergeant promotion panel which was announced recently. In the meantime, as an interim measure, a sergeant based at Abbeyleix district headquarters is being allocated responsibility for the Durrow sub-district.

The current official opening hours at Durrow station are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Consideration is being given by the local Garda officers to the introduction of afternoon opening hours at the station. There is, of course, no question of closure of Durrow station.