Formal request to reinstate east Mayo garda station to full-time status

A FORMAL request has been made for the reinstatement of Ballyhaunis Garda Station as a full-time station.

Councillor Alma Gallagher made the call at a meeting with the Garda Commissioner this afternoon in Mayo County Council offices, citing alarming increases in crime across the east and south Mayo region.

Councillor Gallagher pointed out a concerning link between the reduction in the garda force and escalating crime rates, calling on authorities to promptly take steps to reinstate local garda stations as full-time facilities.

She commented: “Last year, only one garda recruit was appointed to Mayo, despite a significant number of retirements and resignations within the force.

“The decision to downsize rural substations like Ballyhaunis is short-sighted.”

Ballyhaunis needs to be reinstated as a full-time station to better serve residents.

“The town of Ballyhaunis is growing three times faster than the average growth rate in County Mayo. Added to this, the Immigration Office from the Mayo/ Roscommon/Longford Division Headquarters has been relocated from Castlebar to Ballyhaunis Garda Station,” she explained.

Currently, Claremorris Garda Station is the only full-time station serving the entire east and south of Mayo, and it is becoming increasingly overstretched, she added.

Councillor Gallagher's comments come in light of crime statistics revealing that 17 towns in Mayo have experienced an uptick in crime.

She highlighted reports from the Central Statistics Office and the Garda Pulse system stating that almost 60% of garda stations in County Mayo recorded increases in crime reports last year.

Notably, crime reports in Ballyhaunis rose from 111 in 2019 to 138 in 2023. Other notable increases include Charlestown, from 68 reports in 2019 to 82 in 2023, while Knock increased from 34 reports in 2019 to 42 in 2023.

Councillor Gallagher emphasised the necessity of restoring full-time garda services in these areas to combat the growing concerns over safety and security in the community.

“The local community needs to feel secure and supported by an adequate police presence,” she stated. “We cannot allow rural areas to be neglected.

“The winter months are approaching, and we will once again witness an increase in the spate of rural crimes. Resources must be invested to ensure our communities feel safe and break the cycle of burglaries who are opportunistic, taking advantage of the N17 and lack of garda presence.”