TRANSPORT MINISTER SHANE Ross has confirmed that Stepaside Garda Station will reopen.
Ross has made the reopening of the station a key plank of his local platform. It is one of 113 stations closed since 2011.
The closure has led to years of protests in the south Dublin town of about 20,000, but closure was strongly defended by local TD and former Justice Minister Alan Shatter.
In 2013, Shatter said:
“The closure of the Stepaside Garda station will not result in a loss of Gardaí in the Stepaside area. The 34 Garda members currently stationed in Stepaside will be primarily based in Dundrum Garda Station with some also stationed in Blackrock station.”
However, the Association of Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) said in 2016 that crime was up in the area.
Ross confirmed the reopening today on Twitter:
Fine Gael TD Josepha Madigan said the recommendation had come from the Garda Commissioner on the basis of population and crime trends.
“It was reported last year that there was a 50% increase in burglaries recorded in the general environs of Stepaside since the closure of this Garda station, and with the growing population and an increased demographic, it is clear that this community needs a Garda station.
“The Office of Public Works will now work with the gardaí on the refurbishment of the station.”
Green Party Deputy Leader Catherine Martin welcomed the decision.
“This is a very important first step in tackling the rise in crime in the Stepaside area which has occurred since the station closed. It will provide an important on-the-ground garda presence which will help deter crime and allow residents of the Stepaside and surrounding areas to feel safer in their homes and communities.”
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