GARDA STATIONS ON McCurtain Street, Mallow Road and Rathduff in Cork are set to close on 31 January.

Barrack Street garda station is set to close shortly afterwards.

The closures are as a result of the measures which were announced in the Annual Policing Plan for 2013.

Responding to the impending closures, Chief Superintendent Michael Finn said that there would be “no reduction in the Garda service provided in Cork City as a result”.

He went on to say:

In fact, the decision to close the four Garda Stations was taken to maintain a visible Gardaí presence in the community. My priority is to have Gardaí patrolling Cork City to protect the public we serve.

Superintendent Barry McPolin from nearby Anglesea Street garda station said Gardaí from the soon to be closed Barrack Street garda station would continue to patrol the Barrack Street/UCC area.

Ahead of the closures will be a number of public meetings which, according to Finn, would be to “clarify any concerns which may exist”. They are as follows:

• Grenagh Community Hall, 8pm, 24 January
• Boole 1, University College Cork, 7pm, 30 January
• Gardaí will be on duty at Blackpool Shopping Centre from midday to 4pm, 25 January

Read: Names of 100 garda stations to close next year >