A meeting is taking place next week in relation the future operating model of the Garda Station in Kilnaleck.
Residents will meet the Cavan Superintendent over the proposed unconfirmed plans to close the station to the public.
The Kilnaleck Area Development group are happy that engagement is taking place and they say they look forward to the meeting next week.
In a statement from the group this week, they said they are 'disheartened' over plans to close Kilnaleck Garda Station. This move comes on the back of a series of losses that have already profoundly affected the village, including the closures of the post office, bank, credit union and GP services in recent years.
In a press release issued to Northern Sound by the Kilnaleck Area Development said rural communities like ours are the heartbeat of Ireland, steeped in history, culture, and a strong sense of togetherness. Yet, with each essential service removed, the fabric of our village is weakened. They said that the downgrading of Garda services not only leaves us more vulnerable to crime but also sends a troubling message about the diminishing value placed on rural areas.
Gardai issued Northern Sound with the following statement.
Kilnaleck is an operational Garda Station with sworn members of An Garda Síochána operating full time out of Kilnaleck Garda Station. The Kilnaleck area is served by 24 hours public office stations at Bailieboro and Cavan. An Garda Síochána is committed to maintaining a visible presence patrolling our communities keeping people safe.
Every member of An Garda Síochána required to remain inside a Garda Station to keep a public counter open is a member of An Garda Síochána that cannot be patrolling and engaging in their community, providing a visible presence and involved in promoting road safety and interdiction of criminal activity. In addition to 24hour public offices An Garda Síochána provides outreach clinics to local communities, proactively attending key locations where members of the public are to engage, converse and provide information and administration functions. Details of these community clinics are published on An Garda Síochána Divisional Facebook pages.
With over 560 stations across the State, An Garda Síochána operates one of the most extensive police station networks in Europe, far higher than comparative jurisdictions. For example, in Scotland, which has a comparable population size and a highly dispersed population, there are approximately 250 police stations. Where a member of the public needs to speak with their local Gardaí, contact with their local Gardaí can be made through the Garda District Headquarters, which are open 24 hours and are identified on the Stations Directory section of the Garda Website.
In emergency situations such as crime in progress, or urgent Garda assistance is required, Members of the public should always contact 999/112. An Garda Síochána operates a Regional Control Room strategy which ensures that Garda resources are available to respond to calls for service from the public. GardaSAFE, An Garda Síochána’s 21st century Control Room system is fully operation across all 4 Garda Regions, and efficiently and effectively deals with all calls for service by the public.
