The announcement that Galbally Garda Station is among the 30 closed Garda stations to be sold, has dealt a huge blow to the people of the area, as it will mean that they will lose their Garda presence. 

Currently, Galbally is in a very unique position in that, while the station closed early this year, there have been two gardai living in the station – lending a strong Garda presence to the village and surrounding areas.

Natasha Walsh is stationed in Bruff, while her boyfriend is working as a Garda in Cahir. If the station is closed, Galbally will lose the two Gardai from the community.

Jim Fitzgerald has fought the brave fight to retain Galbally Garda station down through the years and now he is yet again preparing to fight their corner, as he will appeal to have the sale reconsidered.

“If it gets sold, it would be a big disappointment to people. The situation we have at the moment is ideal and we certainly wouldn’t want to see it sold. I doubt there would be much interest in it, as it’s a small site and why would they sell it when it is bringing in money from the two Gardai renting it?” he said.

“We’ve fought for it before and we’ll do it again. We don’t want to see it sold. I don’t know how we can stop it, but we will try,” Jim told The Avondhu.

Jim will be raising the issue at the next community council meeting, of which he was former chairman and he would hope that they would make representations to the Office of Public Works.

Limerick councillor, Eddie Ryan has also slammed the sale which, together with Doon and Tournafulla, will see three County Limerick stations have a price tag over them.

“This is yet another loss for these three Limerick communities. Their local Garda station has already been shut down and now the building which was once a focal point of the community is being sold off,” said Cllr Ryan.

“The Government’s excuse is that they ‘couldn’t find’ any other use for these buildings. I find that extremely hard to believe. In Galbally for example, two Gardaí are living in the old premises as they are stationed nearby. Surely the fact that two gardaí are renting is an adequate use for the Galbally station,” Cllr Ryan told The Avondhu.

He added that the garda stations are not just buildings, they are part of life in the towns and villages of Ireland.

“These buildings have been central to community life for decades, not only providing comfort and security to local residents, but also offering important ancillary services. The Government should have made every effort to ensure that the buildings are given back to the community and can remain at the heart of community life.

“I believe Minister Shatter’s campaign of shutting local Garda stations and dismantling community Garda resources is fundamentally wrong.  I also believe that this campaign is a strong element of a wider attack on rural communities in the West of Ireland in particular. 

“Many Limerick communities have seen their local services dramatically reduced over past two years. Six garda stations have been shut down in Limerick this year alone. Courthouses, libraries, bank branches, credit unions are shutting down in many areas. The HSE is also attempting to sell off some health centres. Small schools are under increasing risk of closure. Small retailers and many other local businesses are under threat as a result of a continued lack of support from banks and government.

“All of this amounts to a dramatic withdrawal of services in many communities across Limerick. Unfortunately, the Government’s decision to sell off local garda station buildings will be seen as yet another nail in the coffin,” concluded Cllr Ryan.