Leitrim's garda station opening hours to be raised at next Joint Policing Committee meeting

The need for a review of garda station opening hours will be raised at the next meeting of the Leitrim Joint Policing Committee (JPC).

At the March Council meeting the annual report of Leitrim JPC was presented to the members.

In discussion following the report it was noted that greater certainty is needed around local garda station opening times.

Cllr Caillian Ellis pointed out that “Ballinamore garda station is closed 90% of the time”.

“I had to go there to get forms signs and I had to return a number of times because when I went the station was closed,” he said. “Something has to be done.”

Cllr Sean McDermott said that the matter should be raised at the next JPC noting that “gardaí have to make more provision (for opening) even if the station is opened by a lay person who is just taking the forms.”

Cllr Enda McGloin, who also serves as chairperson of the JPC agreed and said he had previously raised the idea of garda stations opening for one hour a week at a set time.

“But it has been very difficult to get a commitment from the gardaí on this,” he acknowledged.