Shatter: More Garda stations to close
Justice Minister Alan Shatter has warned that further Garda stations will face closure next year.
Minister Shatter, speaking at the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors conference in Co Wexford last night, said he does not believe that 703 stations are needed in such a small country.
The AGSI president Padraic Dolan said that he is disappointed by the announcement and is calling for consultations before any decisions are made.
A total of 39 Garda stations around the country have already been closed or are facing closure as part of cutbacks in this year's budget.
"The Garda Commissioner will, I expect next autumn, will be preparing his plan, his police plan for 2013," said Minister Shatter.
"I expect it's likely that there will be additional stations closed, to ensure that we use the resources in the most efficient manner we can to provide the best policing service we can and this is going to get more members of the force available for frontline policing."
