The Garda Commissioner says that there's no evidence to suggest that the closure of rural garda stations has led to an increase in crime.

Nóirín O'Sullivan says that in some areas where a station has closed crime has fallen.

Almost 140 garda stations were closed between 2012 and 2013, however Commissioner O'Sullivan says that this hasn't led to an increase in crime.

In their efforts to crack down on rural theft and burglaries, An Garda Síochána launched Operation Thor on November 2 to target organised crime gangs and repeat offenders.

As part of a €5.3m investment, gardaí are also being provided with more high-powered vehicles, marked and unmarked patrol cars, cars for surveillance and covert operations, motorcycles and vehicles for public order policing.