Broadford Garda Station facing the axe?

Fears have been expressed that one of the main garda stations serving more than seven communities in South-East Clare could be included in a list of 10 Clare stations that are facing possible closure as part of Government cutbacks.
Justice Minister Alan Shatter has refused to rule out the possibility of closing down Broadford Garda Station and other stations in the county before the Garda Commissioner’s draft 2012 Policing Plan is finalised.
In fact, Minister Shatter warned that like all public sector organisations, the Garda Síochána would to have to manage with reduced resources next year.
Councillor Cathal Crowe requested Clare County Council to seek immediate clarification from Minister Shatter about the future status of Broadford Garda Station at a recent meeting of the Killaloe Electoral Area.
This motion was supported by his five electoral area colleagues and a letter will be issued to Minister Shatter.
In a statement issued to The Clare Champion, Councillor Crowe stressed it was vital that every pre-emptive effort was made to save Broadford Garda Station.
The Meelick councillor claimed Minister Shatter was planning to close up to 200 rural garda stations over the coming weeks. The minister is currently awaiting a report from Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan, who has asked chief superintendents across the country for their input on how to bring numbers down.
There has been speculation that as many as 10 Garda stations in Clare could close and small rural stations are likely to be at the receiving end of this cutback.
Broadford, staffed by |Garda Pat Keane, is one of stations that locals fear may come under the shadow of the minister’s axe.
Up until 1993, the station had a sergeant and garda. In 1993, a staffing reduction removed the sergeant from the station. In 2009, it was proposed to post a second guard at the station but this never materialised.
Broadford Garda Station serves a large area of East Clare including the communities of Kilmore, Truagh, Oatfield, Ballyquin, O’Callaghan’s Mills, Kilbane and Broadford village.
The station currently operates on a part-time basis and round-the-clock coverage for this area is given by gardaí stationed in Killaloe.
If Broadford Garda Station is closed, people in South-East Clare who wish to get their passport stamped would be forced to travel to Scariff, Ardnacrusha or one of the stations in Limerick City.
Councillor Crowe stressed the presence of Broadford Garda Station gives people in South-East Clare a great sense of security.
“Elderly people in the locality have been very vocal in voicing their concerns for what the closure of the station could bring.
“To close Broadford station would be an attack on rural Ireland. People in South-East Clare pay their taxes and have already taken their share of cutbacks. At the very least, these people are entitled to decent health and educational facilities and a garda presence in their communities. As a local elected representative, I will do everything I can to fight for the station’s retention,” he said.
He was supported by Councillor Pascal Fitzgerald, who confirmed he was opposed to the closure of Broadford Garda Station.
Councillor Fitzgerald warned the closure would hit elderly people living on their own who relied on public transport and felt more secure in the knowledge a garda station was open in their own locality.
“It is vital that garda stations are kept open in rural areas like Broadford. People feel a greater sense of security when they can go and meet a guard in their local station.
“I think Minister Shatter will have to consider other options. People living in Broadford shouldn’t have to travel to Scariff, Ardnacrusha or Limerick City to have their passport stamped.
“Minister Shatter should come down to Clare and consult with local county councillors who are best placed to identify the needs of local communities,” he said.
Minister Shatter stated, in a recent reply to a Dáil question, that a final decision on whether station closures would take place and if so what stations would be taken in the context of the Commissioner’s draft Policing Plan for 2012, which would will be announced shortly. The policing plan will also be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.
“The Garda Commissioner has therefore quite properly been reviewing all aspects of the Garda Síochána’s policing model, including the deployment of personnel, the utilisation of modern technologies and the operation of garda stations, both in terms of opening hours and possible closures.
“The purpose of the review is to ensure that garda resources are managed and deployed in the most appropriate manner to meet existing and emerging policing requirements and to maintain garda frontline services to the greatest extent possible – which is consistent with Government policy,” he said.
There has always been a strong policing presence in Broadford. Before independence, the village was home to a Royal Irish Constabulary barracks and a garda station was established in the village upon the foundation of the Irish Free State in 1922.