There needs to be immediate action on the rapid rise of burglaries, thefts and related crimes in the Naas area during the past year. The latest figures from the Central Statistics Office show that there were 958 reported burglaries at Naas Garda Station in 2013. That’s up 131 from 827 burglaries in the previous year.

With the closure of stations in rural communities around Naas in 2012, we’re seeing a rise in burglaries and theft in these parts. Residents in isolated areas and even in villages are becoming increasingly nervous in their homes.

The closure of rural garda stations and the 15% rise in burglaries and thefts since 2012 shows that the Government’s cut backs are having a serious negative impact on rural communities in the Naas area. Kill and Ballymore were two stations that were axed along with Hollywood and Donard all in one go.

There is no doubt in my mind that the closure of our rural Garda stations in the Naas area in 2012 has had an impact on crime levels. Despite our local Gardaí going above and beyond the call of duty every day to fill the gaps and keep our communities safe, they simply do not have the resources and the support that they need.

The Fianna Fáil party has written to the Clerk of the Oireachtas Justice Committee calling for the new Garda Commissioner Noreen O’Sullivan to attend the Committee at the earliest possible opportunity to discuss the ongoing threat of rural crime. The party is seeking an update on Operation Fiacla, which was established to combat burglaries.

One of the areas I have been working on over the past 18 months has been helping to establish community alert groups in each of these rural areas since the closure of our stations. If elected, this is something I will continue to support.