Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will not get to cover much this evening. Out and about in Wexford at the weekends during the past few months, I have found one of the most talked-about issues is rural crime. One of the speakers said the issue was, to a great degree, more about the fear of crime than crime itself. However, in Wexford people would argue that crime happens a lot. Our statistics are frightening. Since 2008, crime figures have improved less in Wexford than in any other county. The second poorest performing area is Kilkenny and Carlow. The Garda Inspectorate’s report threw up many questions about the massaging of crime statistics. We are not sure if there is full reporting of crime in the area. It is frightening.

The closing of Garda stations has been a major factor for many people. While one can make up all the reasons in the world for this and say the alternative works better, the people do not feel it, and it does not work better. There is much to be said for having a Garda station in every decent-sized village. The Government has estimated that the closure of Garda stations has saved approximately €4,000 per year per station. It does not stack up. It is not worth it, given the fear and the level of crime that is resulting.

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