The decision by the Roscommon County Council Chief Executive to permanently close Castlerea fire station is being met with anger and disappointment.
A report into the fire service and a fire risk assessment - made public yesterday - indicates that the current level of operations provides effective and efficient service and meets the required targets and standards by the Fire Services Act.
Eugene Cummins says that the data gathered over the last three years, which was independently reviewed, has shown that Roscommon fire services are performing well in accordance with national guidelines and targets and they are the facts are on which he has based the decision to keep Castlerea fire station closed.
However, the report did not sway elected representatives from stating that this was the wrong decision. Councillors Tony Waldron and Kathleen Shanagher stated their disappointment, with Sinn Fein's Michael Mulligan challenging the managers authority to make the decision - he also says that any issues at the station should have been resolved - a point disputed by Eugene Cummins, who said that Councillors needed to get used to dealing with issues based on facts and figures.
In expressing her outrage Councilor Orla Leyden stated that the risk assessment could not overlook the fact of a large prison in the area as well as local industry such as the Harmac factory and heritage in Clonalis house.
Castlerea Councillor Paschal Fitzmaurice says it's deeply disappointing for the people of the area that they now the furthest from a dedicated fire base:
