Despite demands from farmers and communities for a more permanent Garda presence, cost effectiveness and mobile policing should be considered before re-opening any rural stations, Garda commissioner Drew Harris told RTÉ's Morning Ireland programme on Tuesday.
Harris was speaking after taking part in a community meeting in Co Longford on Monday night, while another rural crime meeting took place in Co Tipperary.
Operational impact
"Before we look at re-opening a station, we have to see what the operational case is, what is the demand for services in that area, and exactly what will re-opening a station achieve, because that costs money," Harris said. "There's a finite amount of money to spend on policing, and I want to make sure that we have the maximum operational impact with the money that we get."
While he acknowledged that An Garda Síochána had stations available, he said that they should be used to maximum effect, while visibility, reassurance and rural services could also come from alternatives such as surgeries in villages and mobile police stations.
They will be caught and we will present the best evidence to the director of public prosecutions
Asked about the increasing number of urban gangs appearing in rural courts for charges including aggravated robberies, Harris said such court appearances showed that criminals are being caught.
"Part of prevention is deterring criminals so they know that if they engage in this activity, they will be caught and we will present the best evidence to the director of public prosecutions," Harris said.
Read more
Rural crime: Lives and livelihoods are at stake
Meeting tackling rural crime 'scourge' to be held in north Dublin
Despite demands from farmers and communities for a more permanent Garda presence, cost effectiveness and mobile policing should be considered before re-opening any rural stations, Garda commissioner Drew Harris told RTÉ's Morning Ireland programme on Tuesday.
Harris was speaking after taking part in a community meeting in Co Longford on Monday night, while another rural crime meeting took place in Co Tipperary.
Operational impact
"Before we look at re-opening a station, we have to see what the operational case is, what is the demand for services in that area, and exactly what will re-opening a station achieve, because that costs money," Harris said. "There's a finite amount of money to spend on policing, and I want to make sure that we have the maximum operational impact with the money that we get."
While he acknowledged that An Garda Síochána had stations available, he said that they should be used to maximum effect, while visibility, reassurance and rural services could also come from alternatives such as surgeries in villages and mobile police stations.
They will be caught and we will present the best evidence to the director of public prosecutions
Asked about the increasing number of urban gangs appearing in rural courts for charges including aggravated robberies, Harris said such court appearances showed that criminals are being caught.
"Part of prevention is deterring criminals so they know that if they engage in this activity, they will be caught and we will present the best evidence to the director of public prosecutions," Harris said.
Read more
Rural crime: Lives and livelihoods are at stake
Meeting tackling rural crime 'scourge' to be held in north Dublin
SHARING OPTIONS