The Garda presence in Galbally and Knocklong has been strengthened, as new Garda clinics were launched last week.

For Knocklong, this is the light at the end of the tunnel as the community there thought that they had lost their Gardai when the station closed.

Meanwhile, this is another boost for Galbally, who first had the sale of the station revoked and have had two Gardai living in the station since it closed. This is more good news for them, as people can now go to the community centre and meet with Garda Natasha Walsh every two weeks to have forms signed or speak to her about problems in the area.

Garda Walsh told The Avondhu that the launch of the clinic helped to deal with people's concerns about the station being closed and she said that the idea came about as a result of a collaboration between the community and the Gardai.

"We are really lucky to have such an involved and committed community here. The clinic will give the village a stronger Garda presence," Garda Walsh said.

She lives in the station with her boyfriend, also a member of the Gardai, who is stationed in Cahir and she is often seen walking in the village. She said it is very important to be seen in the area and to be involved in the community that you are attached to.

The clinic will be in the community centre every two weeks for two hours and the dates and times will be posted in the Post Office for the months ahead.

Superintendent Alan Cunningham said that there are a lot of elderly residents in the village and the clinic will mean that they won't have to travel to Bruff or Hospital for routine things like getting forms signed or speaking to a member of the Gardai.

"They will now have a contact point with a garda in the local community at a particular time," he said.

He added that this is in response to stations closing, as a way to keep contact strong between the Gardai and the community.

Garda Dino Wilkinson will also run a Garda clinic in Knocklong every second Monday.

Cllr Eddie Ryan welcomed the news, saying that in the absence of a Garda station, this is the best possible thing that people in the village could hope for.

"The main thing is that someone in the local community can come in and chat to Garda Walsh, it will add to security in the area. We have a base here where they can talk privately and we are delighted with that," he said.

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