Madam, - The Garda Representative Body is concerned about the lack of Garda presence in rural Ireland (The Irish Times, November 26th). This is certainly a matter for the Government and the Garda Commissioner.
However the GRA has contributed in the past to this malaise by supporting members who choose to live long distances away from their bases. If the Minister made it a condition of contract that all gardaí have to live in their station areas as they did in the past, would the GRA consent to this? In my view this lack of domicile is the main cause of the lack of communication between gardaí and the people they are supposed to serve.
After its foundation the Garda Síochána won the support of the people by living in the community it served and becoming involved in local activities. Once trust and communication are lost, they are very difficult to regain. - Yours, etc,
BRIAN McCAFFREY, Newcastle, Galway.