Four Garda Stations in Cork City Division will close to the public namely McCurtain Street, Mallow Road and Rathduff on 31st January 2013 and Barrack Street shortly afterwards.
Chief Superintendent Michael Finn, Cork City informed us 'I confirm that there will be no reduction in the Garda service provided in Cork City as a result of the closure of the Garda Stations. In fact, the decision to close the four Garda Stations was taken to maintain a visible Gardai presence in the community. My priority is to have Gardai patrolling Cork City to protect the public we serve.'
Like every other part of the public service, An Garda Síochána has had to find savings and provide a service with greater efficiencies. The Garda Síochána Policing Plan 2013 outlines the Garda Commissioner's plans to close 100 Garda Stations and the closure of the Stations in Cork City is part of this rationalisation programme.
Superintendent Barry McPolin, Anglesea Street outlined 'It is important to emphasise that Gardai from Barrack Street Garda Station will continue to patrol the Barrack Street/UCC area. The station merger with nearby Garda Stations, namely the Bridewell and Anglesea Street, will allow us to continue to provide an effective policing service in the community. In addition, in partnership with Cork City Council and UCC, we are progressing a CCTV project to improve the safety of the local community.'
'We are revising our structures to support our community policing philosophy. The amalgamation of Blarney District will facilitate an enhanced, intelligence led grid patrolling in order to maintain community confidence in our service and we are liaising with these communities to keep them updated on changes' stated Superintendent Con Cadogan, Gurranabraher. Closing Rathduff Garda Station will result in the transfer to some rural townlands to the control of Mallow Garda Station and the amalgamation of Carrignavar area into Blarney Sub-District.
Superintendent Tom Myers, Mayfield explained 'We are using this opportunity to consolidate our resources and we will police Mayfield District from Mayfield and Watercourse Road Garda Stations to create administrative and policing efficiencies. We are making these changes in order to deliver our promise of policing excellence. We will continue to engage in Community Policing and this consolidation programme will release additional Gardai into the community.' Mallow Road Garda Station and McCurtain Street Garda Station, which has not been operational since 2003, will officially close to the public.
All members of the public are invited to public meetings which will be held on:
Ø Meeting - Grenagh Community Hall, 8 p.m. 24th January 2013
Ø Meeting - Boule 1, University College Cork, 7 p.m. 30th January 2013
Ø Gardai will be on duty at Blackpool Shopping Centre, 12 noon to 4 p.m. 25th January 2013
‘We will continue to engage with our business partners and communities to ensure that we continue to provide a policing service to meet the needs of the people of Cork City and we will hold public meetings to clarify any concerns which may exist’ outlined Chief Superintendent Finn.
