New Garda Stations

Tim O’Sullivan, Intermediate Projects

The OPW Intermediate Projects team in Claremorris have been busy over the last number of months ensuring that An Garda Síochána’s property portfolio stretching the length of the country has been modernised and extended.

Projects in Donegal, Westmeath and Cork have ensured that Members of the Force are now working out of state of the art, comfortable and fit for purposes premises.

Donegal Town’s Garda Station was under pressure for several years. Located in the centre of the town, just off the Diamond, the building is a striking, three storey building, but was not adequate for the needs of the Force in the town. James Sweeney, Head of the North West Region, championed the cause for a new Station in the town. Several options were considered, but eventually a plan to completely refurbish the existing building and extend the building to the rear was selected. The build was scheduled to take 15 months, but with the impact of Covid (Donegal was particularly badly hit) it took about four months longer to complete. The end result was well worth the wait: it is a Station which retains the style and character of the original building, while incorporating a modern, spacious extension.

Donegal Garda Station

Meanwhile, in Athlone, the Garda Water Unit now occupies an upgraded home that meets their unique requirements. The Unit is regularly called in for investigations relating to murders and serious crime, missing persons and evidence recovery relating to locations involving water. In addition to underwater searches, it is regularly asked to carry out surface patrols throughout the country and around the Irish coastline. This involves the enforcement of marine legislation and the policing of major events taking place on or near the water.

Athlone Garda Water Unit

Up to now the Athlone Unit was based at the main Garda Station in Athlone town. Here they shared sanitary facilities in the main Station and had offices in prefabricated units in the back yard. Their equipment (boats, vehicles, diving equipment) was stored in industrial units on the other side of Athlone town.

Athlone Garda Water Unit

Plans to upgrade their storage facilities, incorporating new office space and sanitary facilities in one location have been on the books for several years, but were delayed due to the economic situation over the last number of years. But 2020 saw the completion of the works and now the Garda Water Unit are in facilities that meet their needs. The huge advantage is that their whole operation is now located in a single base.

Last, but by no means least, Glanmire in Cork has a brand new Garda Station. The former Station was in a leased premises that had definitely seen better days. A new premises was acquired and the project to fit out this was again managed by OPW Intermediate Projects. The Glanmire based Gardaí now have a modern, fit for purpose Station and are no longer operating from a building better suited to a bygone era.

Glanmire Garda Station

Glanmire Garda Station

And the work continues, tender documentation has been issued to prequalified firms for the Main, Mechanical and Electrical works on the new District Headquarters in Bailieborough, Co. Cavan. We expect construction to begin in 2021 and last 21 months.