CONSTRUCTION IS UNDERWAY on three of the eight new garda stations due to be finished by 2021.
Work started on those three in 2015 and no new construction has begun since then, despite five other stations planned.
Since 2011, 139 garda stations have been closed across the country. Dublin was one of the hardest hit counties with six stations closed and 10 others reduced.
The closures were carried out as part of the rationalisation programme An Garda Síochána announced in the 2012 and 2013 policing plans.
The Divisional Headquarters at Kevin Street, Wexford and Galway are all due to be finished this year.
However, while Kevin St was due to be finished early this year, the OPW told TheJournal.ie that the construction is now expected to be completed during quarter 3 of 2017.
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Dublin
Work on the new Garda divisional headquarters for south Dublin got underway in February 2015.
The new station will consist of a 6,840 square metre divisional HQ, with a 5,400 square metre double basement.
The existing Kevin Street station, next door to Marsh’s Library, has been a police station in one form or another since 1806. Prior to this it was known as the Palace of St. Sepulchre – and the building is over 800 years old.
It was sold to the Dublin Mounted Police and became a barracks from then until 1922, after which it was occupied by the Garda Síochána.
Galway
The new Galway Regional and Divisional Headquarters began in October 2015 and is scheduled to be finished by the end of this year.
The new headquarters will have a 8,000 square metre main building with a 4,000 square metre basement.
These will be made up of a public office; conference, training and custody facilities; a vehicle testing garage; firing range; and victim support facilities.
Wexford
Work on the new Garda headquarters in Wexford started in the summer of 2015 and, according to the OPW, it is running on schedule and is due to be finished this summer – making it the first project to be completed.
It will have a complex of buildings with a combined area of 4,000 square metres on a 2.8 hectare site.
The development consists of a 3-5 storey building with a public reception and office, conference, training and event management facilities. Accommodation for victim support will also be provided.
The new facility will also include a large HGV garage to support Garda operations at Rosslare Harbour as well as state-of-the-art evidence storage.
Portacabins
Fine Gael TD Eoghan Murphy was asked in the Dáil about Bailieborough Garda Station, which is currently using Portacabins.
He said, ”The OPW is currently in the process of purchasing a property with a view to building a new Garda station and that site has been identified.”
He said the draft plan was already agreed. “The purchase is being expedited and it is hoped that it will conclude shortly. Once the property is transferred the OPW will process the planning application.”
Once the legal transfer has been completed, which will happen shortly, we can move straight into the planning process and get the station built.
The capital investment plan also includes major refurbishment of existing stations and facilities, essential remedial works to certain Garda properties, upgrading of prisoner detention areas to meet current and emerging health, safety and human rights compliance requirements and developing property and evidence material stores.
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