How many gardaí based in Dublin are living in Mullingar, Carlow and other towns? Sheer economics are driving them to buy houses in those areas. They are commuting to work in Dublin. A survey of gardaí working in rural areas would show they generally prefer to live 20 or 30 miles from where they are based. This is leading to the loss of a sense of trust and undermines good relationships between ordinary people and members of the Garda Síochána who previously lived in the communities in which they worked, participating in, for example, local GAA clubs, and identifying with local young people. An analysis of where gardaí live would show they do not have an incentive to live in the community in which they are based.