Still no date for re-opening of Ballinspittle garda station

WORKS being undertaken by the OPW at Ballinspittle Garda Station are not currently expected to be completed until this Summer.

However, it’s not known if it will be ready to reopen at that point or not.

According to the Department of Justice, the rural station ‘is part of a government pilot scheme to reopen six stations to determine possible positive impacts that such openings will have on criminal activity, with special emphasis on burglaries, theft and public order.’ 

The others are in Cavan, Wicklow, Carlow and Dublin. 

However, Independent Cork south west TD Michael Collins has called for a dedicated rural crime taskforce to be put in place immediately.

 ‘The people living and working in rural Ireland must receive the same level of support and security from our police force as those living in the cities and other urban areas,’ he said. 

He praised the residents of Ballinspittle, who he said had ‘fought long and hard to have a permanent police presence in their area once again.’

 Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan will be visiting West Cork on Friday February 15th and representatives of Ballinspittle have been invited to meet with him to discuss the issue.