Fewer gardaí in Westmeath than five years ago

As recruitment of 600 new gardaí gets underway (see below), figures released in response to a parliamentary question have revealed that Garda numbers in Westmeath have fallen by 17 in just five years.

On October 31 2010, there were 262 gardaí in Westmeath, but as of October 31 of this year, the number was down to 245.

Athlone Garda Station currently has 60 gardaí; previously, it had 66.

Mullingar has not been affected in the same way: five years ago it had 132, and it now has one more 133.

The other stations affected include those that were closed (Ballinahown, Castletown Geoghegan, Finea and Rathowen), and several other stations that have seen numbers reduced.

The figures were given in response to a query raised by Deputy Robert Troy.

Responding to his query, the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, said that Budget 2016 made provision for the recruitment of 600 new Gardaí next year bringing to 1,150 the number of new Gardaí that will be recruited since the reopening of the Garda College in Templemore in September 2014.

CLOSING DATE

The recruitment campaign for new gardaí began last Friday, November 27, and the closing date for applications is Tuesday January 5 2016. Applications must be made through  www.publicjobs.ie.