There has been a 30% reduction in the number of Garda cars policing East Galway which is now leading to concerns that rural communities are at their most vulnerable.
Savage cutbacks have resulted in there just being twelve Garda cars now patrolling in areas like Tuam, Ballinasloe, Loughrea and Gort compared to 17 back in 2011 – it is leading to growing fears among rural dwellers.
It has been claimed that there has been an increase in the number of break-ins that have occurred in East Galway over the past year and the reduction in the number of Garda cars is not helping the situation.
Deputy Anne Rabbitte said that there was an urgency to increase Garda numbers so that rural communities felt safe in the wake of a spate of burglaries that have occurred in the East Galway area during the past year.
The issue of the reduction in the number of Garda cars has been the source of controversy in recent years and particularly when combined with the number of rural Garda stations that have shut down.
Indeed, there have been criticisms of the Garda Commissioner who gave the impression that the closure of Garda stations had been replaced with an increase in Garda activity in rural areas.
This is disputed by Deputy Rabbitte who has now called on an increase in Garda numbers and an investment to ensure that resources are put in place so that crime is tackled effectively.
“Over the past five years we have seen the serious depletion of Garda resources and manpower here in Galway, which has led to an increase in fear in many rural communities.
“Older people and people living in isolated areas have been disproportionately affected, but every village has been on edge to some degree. The reduction in a visible Garda presence has undoubtedly had an impact not only on crime rates, but also on people’s confidence levels.
“Communities feel safer when there is an active Garda presence, but this has been eroded through a lack of resources. The fall also impacts on the Gardai’s ability to fight crime”, Deputy Rabbitte added.
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