O'Shaughnessy fuming as village loses squad car

Wicklow councillor Jimmy O'Shaughnessy has been left fuming after learning the village of Avoca has had it's patrol car taken away.

"This is another blow to a small rural village as the garda car has been taken away."

"I was appalled to learn that the small village of Avoca has lost its garda car, I understand that it has gone to Wicklow town to replace a garda car that has broken down there."

"It is only a few year since I wrote to the then minister for justice to request that Avoca be given special consideration for a garda car."

"I also had it discussed at a meeting of the council at that time, now to hear that it has gone, where is it all going to end."

"One has to wonder if the next move will be to close the garda station i think its time for the people of the area to get answers."

Arklow garda station is also down to one car, during a recent search for a missing man cars had to be borrowed from Wicklow and Ashford.

The councillors comments come on the same day the justice minister suggested more garda stations could close next year.

Alan Shatter also said "Crime rates are down except for burglary, which is the focus of a major Garda crackdown at the moment."