OPW are urged to hand over Knocknagree garda station
CLLR SAYS IDLE BUILDING SHOULD BE PUT TO COMMUNITY USE OR HOUSING
THE Office of Public Works (OPW) has been urged to relinquish ownership of the former garda station in Knocknagree so it can be used for community use or to help tackle the burgeoning housing crisis in the Duhallow region.
The call has come from local county councillor Bernard Moynihan (FF) following an enquiry made by the local authority to the OPW regarding the future of the building, which has laid idle since the closure of the garda station in 2013.
In her reply OPW official Ann Carroll wrote that they had been requested not to dispose of any closed garda stations pending the outcome of reviews that had identified six closed garda stations around the country for reopening.
“The commissioners of Public Works have proceeded to review the remaining closed Garda stations in State ownership in line with the OPW’s policy on surplus vacant property, including the former Garda station at Knocknagree,” wrote Ms Carroll.
She wrote that the OPW policy in regard to non-operational State property was to first of all identify if it was suitable for alternative use by a Government department or public sector body.
If found to be surplus to requirements the OPW will then consider putting the building on the open market to generate exchequer revenue.
Alternatively, the OPW may consider “wider community involvement” subject to a written submission indicating a community/voluntary group has the means to manage and insure the property “with no ongoing costs to the exchequer”.
“In line with policy, the OPW will again establish if there is any alternative State use for the property prior to disposing of it on the open market,” wrote Ms Carroll.
Cllr Moynihan was far from satisfied with the reply, saying that the OPW has already had six-years in which to make a decision on the future of the Knocknagree building.
“This whole situation is an absolute disgrace. There are community groups in the area crying out for a premises to use for their activities and here we have a perfect building lying idle. It could easily be converted for use by a number of these groups,” said Cllr Moynihan.
He said that alternatively, it could be put on the open market as a potential home or handed over to Cork County Council for use as social housing.
“On an almost daily basis I get calls from people who are frustrated at the lack of available housing in the area. For example there are just six social houses available in nearby Boherbue and 74 applicants for them,” said Cllr Moynihan.
“Its simply not good enough for the OPW to drag their heels on this issue when it is obvious to everyone this building could be put to good use very easily and at relatively little cost. This fine building must not be allowed to lie empty for years and become an eyesore to the point where it becomes unusable,” he added.