Michael Ring
Ceist:39 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice the plans, if any, she has in relation to filling the Sergeant posts both in Newport and Louisburgh, County Mayo in view of the present increase of crime in rural areas. [1412/94]
Written Answers. - County Mayo Sergeant Posts.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are two gardaí assigned to Newport Garda station and two gardaí assigned to Louisburgh Garda station. Both stations are sub-districts of Westport District. An additional Garda sergeant was assigned to Westport station in June of this year and he has been given responsibility for operational and administrative matters at Louisburgh. A similar arrangement has existed for the Newport area since September 1991 whereby another sergeant based at Westport has specific responsibility for the Newport area.
The Garda authorities inform me that, while they are not complacent about any level of crime in any rural area, both of the areas in question have relatively low crime rates, with seven crimes reported to date this year in Louisburgh and six crimes in Newport. They consider that the current arrangements are working satisfactorily and that an adequate policing service is provided to the communities at Newport and Louisburgh. These arrangements will be kept under continuing review and any changes considered necessary will be made.