Break-in at local butchers shocks community

By Andrew Ralph 

THERE have been further calls for Stepaside Garda Station to be reopened following the burglary of a local butchers in the village. 

Local TD Josepha Madigan (FG) said the break-in at Fleming’s Butchers, which she described as “an integral part of the Stepaside community”, was shocking.

She said it was very upsetting to see the damage done to the store.

 “This latest break-in underlines the need to reopen Stepaside Garda Station as a matter of urgency,” Deputy Madigan said. “Stepaside needs gardaí stationed locally to protect the community and local businesses from falling prey to burglary.”

Mick Fleming said he was a local man himself and that this was the first time his business was robbed in the 10 years it had been open.

However, he claimed that since Stepaside Garda Station was closed by the Government in March 2013, there had been an upsurge of burglaries in the local area with several businesses hit, some on several occasions.

“All our local TDs, councillors and the Stepaside Business Association support our calls for the station to be reopened and manned properly with 21st century policing standards,” he stated.

Mr Fleming added that the rural and urban demographic of the Stepaside, Glencullen and Kilternan areas justified the need for the station to be reopened.

“It is essential for our area to have a Garda station,” he added. “It’s a part of our community and I want my children and the generations to come to enjoy the protection that one provides.”

According to Mr Fleming, the station was first opened in the 1920s but following the closure the nearest station to Stepaside villagers is in Dundrum.

A spokesperson for the Minister for Justice said the matter of Garda resources, including stations, was for the Garda Commissioner to decide on.

However, the spokesperson added that the Tánaiste had asked the Commissioner to identify six stations to reopen on a pilot basis.

“Work is continuing with the gardaí to identify the six stations for inclusion in the pilot programme,” the spokesperson added. “Consultations have taken place with relevant stakeholders with the aim that a comprehensive and evidenced-based analysis should be carried out that will take into account all the relevant factors before a final decision is made in respect of the stations to be reopened by the Commissioner 

The statement from the department adds: “The Tánaiste expects a report from the Commissioner by the end of May in connection with this matter.”