Miltown garda station not on closure list

MILTOWN Malbay Garda Station is not to close, according to the Minister for Justice Alan Shatter.
Responding to a query from Clare TD, Deputy Pat Breen, Minister Shatter said “Miltown Malbay Garda Station is not one of those 39 garda stations identified for closure or reduced opening hours”.
The Commissioner’s Policing Plan for 2012, released in December last year, indicates changes to the future opening hours of 10 garda stations and the closure of 39 others.
The minister confirmed that approximately 296 gardaí are assigned to the Clare Garda Division, of which 33 are assigned to the Ennistymon District and three of these are assigned to the Miltown Malbay Garda Station. There are also 19 garda reserve members and 33 civilian staff assigned to different stations across the division.
“These resources are augmented, when appropriate, by gardaí from national units such as the Garda National Drug Unit and the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation,” the minister outlined.
“The priority will remain that an effective and professional policing service is provided to every part of the community, both rural and urban. The programme of replacement and refurbishment of garda accommodation around the country is based on agreed priorities established by An Garda Síochána and it is progressed in close co-operation with the Office of Public Works (OPW), who have responsibility for the provision and maintenance of garda accommodation. I have been informed by the OPW that while there are no plans or requests in relation to Miltown Malbay Garda Station, the situation will continue to be kept under review,” he concluded.