When the windows were broken in Roundstone Garda station during the August bank holiday weekend there were those in the community who felt enough was enough. The Galway village has been campaigning for a resident garda, but has to live with the fact that it has one of the worst stations in the State.
"Appalling" is how one Garda source describes the dilapidated state of the building - and it is not on its own. The Galway West division can boast several other "shacks", including a Portakabin in Leitir Mor, which is at the end of a long lane and is almost inaccessible to the public.
It can also boast Inverin and Maam. It is a matter of opinion as to which of these two is worse, but the local joke is that the Garda badge above the entrance is holding the Inverin building up.
Money has been allocated for work by the Office of Public Works, but awarding of contracts appears to be painfully slow, taking two to three years in some cases. A site has been allocated for Roundstone across the road from the existing building, which is leased and crumbling, but there are those who would regard it as a miracle if a new station is erected - even in an election year.
Richard de Stacpoole, public relations officer with Roundstone Development Council, says there is an urgent need for a garda to be resident in the village, particularly during the tourist season. "We have had a problem with underage drinking here, and it is no good appearing in a squad car. There has to be a constant presence," he says. The last permanent garda lived in the village over 40 years ago.
Mr de Stacpoole is very concerned about the drink culture. "Pubs have a lot to answer for, and of course parents have a duty to ensure that they know where their children are. We all have a role to play as a community," he says.