Extra Gardai promised for South Roscommon after boundary changes

Roscommon"s top policing chief has said this week he is confident that changes to the Garda boundaries on January 1 next, will be welcomed by the public and result in a better service in the south of the county. Speaking to the Westmeath Independent, Chief Superintendent Paul Hargadon of Roscommon Garda Station said there would be a substantial increase in officer numbers and patrols in the South Roscommon area as result of the boundary shift, which sees areas like Ballydangan, Clonark, Kiltoom, Crannagh and Drum under the remit of a new garda district in Roscommon town. Prior to this, the majority of south Roscommon was covered by Ballinasloe Garda Station, while areas like Monksland were the jurisdiction of Athlone. As a direct consequence of the divisional changes, a new Garda station will be constructed on the disused Clonark Garda Station site during 2009 to serve as the main officer headquarters for South Roscommon. Until then, gardai will be based in Knockcroghery village, a move that has caused some concern for the public. However, Chief Superintendent Hargadon said he is confident the changes will work, adding there has always cooperation between Athlone, Ballinasloe and Roscommon Gardaí and that would continue in the future. 'The new Clonark station should be up and running some time in 2009. Until such time as it is available, officers will be based in Knockcroghery, but that will have no great impact as they will be out patrolling the area,' the Chief Superintendent said. He continued: 'With any changes there are always teething problems but I have every confidence in the staff out there and if something arises there are plans in place to deal with it'. Elsewhere, Hodson Bay and Monksland will continue to be policed by Athlone Gardaí with Creagh remaining the responsibility of Ballinasloe Garda Station, according to the boundary changes. When asked about the staffing levels in south Roscommon, the Chief Superintendent said he did not want to discuss numbers but admitted there will be a 'substantial increase' compared to previous numbers, adding that while the station will not be manned on a 24/7 basis, it will be open for 'a good period of the 24 hours' The new policing arrangements will be welcomed by the public, Mr Hargadon said confidently, explaining that he had no doubt that the time will pass and the service will be as good if not better afterwards. Up until now, the Roscommon Division incorporated the Galway East region and Longford was coupled with Westmeath in the existing boundaries. However, that"s about to shift as changes first announced in the Policing Plan 2008 by Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy come in to force, effectively bringing Roscommon and Longford together in the new Roscommon/Longford division with the headquarters in Roscommon town. The developments also see Westmeath as one separate division and the former Galway east area incorporated in the Galway singular division. In a Dáil question last week, Deputy Denis Naughten was told by the Minister in a written reply that planning is proceeding with a view to demolishing the existing Garda Station in Clonark and going ahead with a new building on the site in 2009.