Many rural communities are very concerned about the imminent closure of Garda Stations as a result of centralisation. Budget cutting and saving is another reason. While heat and fuel are extra, the cost of running a Garda station must not be that dear. After all there is no rent or rates to pay like retailers and insurance would be covered by a general policy for the Gardai. It means that squad cars will be used more, thus fuel expenses will rise when it comes to covering offences and patrols in non central areas.
A police station, like a post office, gives villages a sense of community and now that will be lessened as a result of the changes proposed.
We had a conversation with a Garda based in County Wexford recently who was investigating a crime in Waterford and he noted that, due to the jobs issues and the abuse of drugs and alcohol, there had been a jump in rural crime.