Anger in village as Shannonbridge garda station doors closed

The chairperson of Shannonbridge Action Committee has told the Offaly Independent he fears the village will become an easy target following the closure of its garda station yesterday (Thursday). Vincent Darcy described the move, which saw 95 stations close countrywide, as "a disgrace". He said Shannonbridge's geographical location at a crossing point on the River Shannon has made it ideal in the past for Garda checkpoints, but he's unsure now how policing is going to be managed in the village. "We want to create Shannonbridge as an active and vibrant community that has services and facilities and this is not helping," Mr Darcy said. "We would hope that the guards don't forget that we're here," he continued. "We need support in our efforts from all State agencies in trying to develop the community. What we don't want is for Shannonbridge to become an easy target for people passing through." Shannonbridge's garda station has in recent times been manned only from 3pm to 5pm Monday to Saturday. "It's the visual concept when you go into the village and you see the Garda sign," Mr Darcy said however. Mr Darcy went on to say that Shannonbridge has at its heart an ageing population, who need to be cared for. He has advised all locals to become invovled with or at least stay updated with the local community alert system. Meanwhile, just 15 crimes were recorded in Shannonbridge Garda Station in 2011, it emerged this week. The All-Island Research Observatory (AIRO) released data on the crimes recorded in 2011 at each of the 95 Garda stations nationwide that closed its doors on January 31. Shannonbridge Garda Station saw a total of 15 crimes in 2011, consisting of one under the attempts/threats of murder, assaults and harassment category; one burglary and related offences; six for damage to property and the environment; two for public order and other social code offences and five theft and related offences. Shannonbridge will now be policed from Ferbane.