The following is the text of a letter from Assistant Commissioner T.P. Fitzgerald of A Branch, Garda Headquarters, Phoenix Park, to Chief Superintendent, Laois/Offaly, dated December 30th, 1997.
Re: Garda masts shared with Esat Digifone
In a recent effort to upgrade the Garda Communications system, the Commissioner has entered into a binding contract with Esat Digifone, whereby they are permitted to share our radio masts. This is conditional on Esat building and paying for the new masts necessary. We do not have the finance to do this ourselves so that in any area where Esat are not permitted to build the new mast for us we cannot provide the improvements considered essential by the Commissioner.
We have encountered difficulties recently in relation to the building of some masts, due to either local opposition or in a few cases thwarted by Garda members or families. Geashill station is an example of this.
I wish to make it clear that the Commissioner, under the SMI bottom-up review, will have difficulty recommending the continued existence of a rural station where efforts to make the necessary improvements in the communications system is being thwarted.
Please ensure that district officers are informed accordingly.
T.P. Fitzgerald, Assistant Commissioner