A NEW report has found that six garda stations in Donegal are without an assigned Garda.
The analysis by the Irish Independent revealed that nationally, the number of small rural stations without an assigned officer increased from nine to 56 last year.
The analysis of figures from the Department of Justice also reveals that close to a quarter of the country’s garda stations had fewer Gardaí at the end of 2024 than at the start of the year, despite an overall increase in the size of the force.
In Donegal, Ballyshannon Garda Station, one of the county’s major stations, has seen a reduction of 23 Gardaí since the start of 2024.
Donegal TD, Pearse Doherty, has said the current situation is “totally unacceptable”.
“The findings in this report make stark reading for government.
“It’s clear that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have turned their backs on rank and file Gardaí.
“They particularly don’t seem to care about policing rural areas such as Donegal.
“There are no less than six stations in Donegal without an assigned Garda,” Deputy Doherty said.
“That’s totally unacceptable and is in line with what I’ve been hearing from constituents, who have complained about not being able to access a Garda when needed, and rank and file Gardaí, who have complained about understaffing and under-resourcing.
“That Ballyshannon Garda Station, one of the county’s major stations, has seen a reduction of 23 Gardaí since the start of 2024 is another worrying statistic.”
“The report also shows that stations with the biggest increases in Garda staffing levels were concentrated in Dublin. I understand there are significant challenges to policing in Dublin, but rural areas like Donegal can’t just be abandoned.
“That is what seems to be happening according to these figures.
“We have unique challenges to policing in Donegal as well and this cannot be forgotten about or dismissed.
“We need an urgent reassessment as to what Garda resources are provided to Donegal.
“These figures also highlight how important it is that Donegal is afforded three Garda Community Policing areas, not the two that is currently understood to be coming down the line.”
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