Galway Bay fm newsroom - A garda station in Connemara is one of 8 stations nationwide which lost a permanent garda last year.
Rosmuc garda station lost its permanent garda, despite an net increase in the force of 600.
According to today's Irish Examiner, 43 garda stations across the country were operating without a dedicated garda assigned to them by the end of last year.
There are six garda stations in Galway which remain 'open' but are policed by gardaí from neighbouring stations.
Nationally, there are more than 160 vacancies at sergeant and inspector level in the Gardai - with no attempt to fill them in a year.
That's according to the AGSI, which is holding its annual conference in Co. Carlow later, where the Justice Minister will speak this evening.
The association, which represents 2 thousand mid-ranking gardai, will debate the need for a higher sergeant to garda ratio of 1 to 5.
General Secretary John Jacob says promotions need to start now.
