THE MERGER of Gorey and Enniscorthy Garda Districts had been signalled for several months, but the decision was officially announced by the Minister for Justice, Alan Shatter, T.D., on Budget Day, when 100 Garda Stations around the country were earmarked for closure.

Cllr. Malcolm Byrne was critical of the measure. “The decision of Minister Shatter to merge the Gorey and Enniscorthy Garda Districts is a retrograde step that will result in a poorer policing service for both Districts and will ultimately fail to prevent the rising crime levels affecting the north of the county.

The downgrade of Gorey will result in the loss of a Superintendent and Inspector from Gorey and the new Superintendent in Enniscorthy will have to cover an area stretching from Castletown to Oylegate to Bunclody with a population of 70,000 people.

Kiltealy Garda Station is to close. Both Gorey and Enniscorthy districts will be affected.

Cllr. Byrne says it is an outrageous decision especially given that crime in the Gorey area has increased by 42% in the past decade.

Full details in this week’s edition of THE GOREY ECHO.