Focus on garda stations in Ballyshannon, Sligo and Tubbercurry



In the North West, work is being carried out on one garda station, possible new sites are being reviewed for another, and a new building — or, at least, an extension — is being sought for a third.
The Office of Public Works, which is responsible for providing garda station buildings, has a contractor working to refurbish cells in Ballyshannon Garda Station in County Donegal.

The work is being carried out as part of a national programme to prevent prisoners self-harming while in custody.

The work to the six cells in Ballyshannon started on April 4th are are expected to be finsihed by July 14th.

Meanwhile, the OPW and Garda Estate Management are reviewing the sites submitted for a new garda station in Sligo Town.

It follows advertisements for submissions earlier this year.

The OPW says no decision has yet been made on a preferred site.

Efforts have been continuing to try to improve conditions in the present station in Sligo since Garda Representative Association members threatened a walkout last October.

An engineeer’s report had found the building was not fit for purpose, that it was a fire trap, a health and safety hazard, and too small for the current workforce.

Prisoners are no longer held in the cells in Sligo but are taken to the garda station in Ballymote.

And at this week’s meeting of Sligo County Council, Fianna Fail Councillor Jerry Lundy became the latest public representative to call for a new garda station in Tubbercurry.

He proposed that the council write to the Minister for Justice and the OPW asking for the new station there as matter of urgency.

He told Ocean FM News why there is a need for a new station in the South Sligo town:

 



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