Concerns raised over future of Ballybofey Garda Station

A Donegal County Councillor has called for a meeting to outline the future of Ballybofey Garda Station amid local concerns.

The station on Main Street suffers from a lack of both patrol presence and operational hours, according to Cllr Patrick McGowan.

Cllr McGowan told today's meeting of the Lifford-Stranorlar MD that he fears the station could be going in the direction of closure.

“This Finn Valley area is one of the busiest in the county and in the country for the garda station, but every time I go past the doors are closed. Every time I ring it, the phones are never answered," Cllr McGowan said.

"You get more and more people coming to councillors for passport forms signed. It’s simply not good enough.

"Is this going to end up like Brockagh and the rest of the places where it’s just going to shut down?"

Cllr McGowan has urged the council to write to Garda Chief Superintendent Goretti Sheridan to ask for the state of play.

"We should be asking for a meeting with the local Sergeant, Inspector or Superintendent in Letterkenny, just to know where we are in the big plan of things," he said.

"There are not enough patrols and the Garda station should be open during the day at least," Cllr McGowan said.