STATEMENT BY Dermot Lacey
\nLabour Party Councillor Pembroke
\nMonday May 31, 2004<\/p>\n
MINISTER MUST COME CLEAN ON PROPOSED GARDA STATION CLOSURES<\/p>\n
The Labour Party Councillor Dermot Lacey has called on Minister McDowell to come clean on which Garda stations will close.<\/p>\n
He said: “The announcement by Minister McDowell that a number of long-established Garda stations are to close is absolutely shocking, particularly given the worrying levels of crime in Irish society. Garda stations are an important part of the social infrastructure in Irish society providing a degree of security and reassurance, especially in areas experiencing serious crime and vandalism problems. Closing Garda stations will only leave vulnerable communities exposed to criminals.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“I am challenging Minister McDowell to come clean as to whether or not any Gardai stations will be closed in Dublin South East. Minister McDowell is the same minister who before the last election promised to deliver an additional 2,000 extra Gardai. However, the membership of the Gardai has remained virtually static since June 2002. In that time, 833 recruits graduated from Templemore Training College while some 818 members have retired. This effectively means there has been an increase of 15 members.<\/p>\n
Specifically I am calling on Minister Mc Dowell to clarify does he propose to close down, Irishtown or Donnybrook Garda Stations in the heart of his own constituency.<\/p>\n
“The public is entitled to know which stations are closing and they are entitled to know before the Local Elections. However, judging by this Government’s past record, this is a bombshell that McDowell will leave until after the nation goes to the polls. It is now time for the electorate to tell Minister McDowell and his Government colleagues ‘hands off our Garda station’.”<\/p>\n
For more information contact Dermot Lacey at 087-2646960<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
STATEMENT BY Dermot Lacey Labour Party Councillor Pembroke Monday May 31, 2004 MINISTER MUST COME CLEAN ON PROPOSED GARDA STATION CLOSURES The Labour Party Councillor Dermot Lacey has called on Minister McDowell to come clean on which Garda stations will close. He said: “The announcement by Minister McDowell that a number of long-established Garda stations […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-32","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-pr"],"yoast_head":"\n