Eight garda stations across Clare are set to close in 2013 as part of budgetary measures announced by government today.
Under the Garda District and Station Consolidation programme – Quin, Inagh, Lahinch, Broadford, Mountshannon, Doonbeg, Kilmihil and Labasheeda are all facing the axe.
Gardai currently attached to six of these stations will transfer to Ennis Ennistymon, Ardnacrusha, Killaloe and Kilrush- while there are currently no gardai based at Doonbeg or Labasheeda due to retirements.
The number of garda districts in the Clare Garda Division is also being reduced from 4 to 2 – with Ennis, Ennistymon, Kilrush and Killaloe being amalgamated to just Ennis and Kilrush.
Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan says today’s announcement marks the most fundamental restructuring of An Garda Siochana since the organisation’s foundation but adds he’s confident there’s be no cutback in levels of service.
