Minister visits as purchase of building in Tubbercurry for Garda station confirmed
MINISTER of State with responsibility for Office of Public Works Patrick O’Donovan was in Tubbercurry on Tuesday evening to have a look at the building which has been acquired to provide a new garda station for the town and accommodation for Department of Social Protection staff. The purchase of the building previously occupied by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and which is beside the current garda station was confirmed this week.
The need for a new garda station to replace the present inadequate building has been raised many times over a long number of years.
It was highlighted again as recently as the April meeting of Ballymote-Tubbercurry Municipal District. Councillor Paul Taylor proposed a motion calling on the council to ask the Office of Public Works for an update on the proposed new station and to “request a detailed plan to ensure the project moves forward in a timely manner for the health, safety and wellbeing of the gardaí”.
At the meeting, local councillor Martin Connolly said that the gardai are “very cramped” in the present station. “There are 11 gardai and two sergeants there and male and female gardai have to use communal toilets,” he said.
It has also been pointed out previously the present garda station offers little privacy for people in their dealings with the gardai.
This week cathoirleach of Sligo County Council Cllr Dara Mulvey welcomed the news that the OPW has acquired the property.
He said: “It is intended that this property will be developed by the OPW in order to accommodate staff employed in the Department of Social Protection in the area.
“It is also intended that a considerable part of the building will be offered to An Garda Síochána to be used for their operational requirements.
Cllr Mulvey said that he had highlighted on numerous occasions the current inadequate facilities at the Tubbercurry station and had stressed the need for greater investment at this location.
“I welcome this new property as a step closer in establishing a more adequate facility in South Sligo for the members of An Garda Síochána stationed in Tubbercurry and the south Sligo community,” he said.