Timeline for new Macroom Garda Station shortened

Funding has been granted for the development of a new garda station in Macroom, it was announced this week.

The Macroom station is to be a garda divisional headquarters comprising of a new 4,338 sq. metre building on a site of around 0.68 hectares and consists of a two, three, and four storey building, standalone single storey buildings and related existing demolitions, site and boundary works.

Minister for Justice Simon Harris announced on Tuesday that approval has been granted to proceed with the development of the station in Macroom and one in Clonmel through direct exchequer funding. This means that the projects can advance more quickly and follows consultation with the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform and the Office of Public Works.

The construction of these two garda stations is said to be a long standing strategic priority for An Garda Síochána. It is expected that the timeline for the development of the garda stations will be substantially reduced by decoupling the projects from the Justice PPP (public private partnership) and funding their construction through traditional exchequer funding as planning permission is in place for both garda stations.

Funding for a new family court complex at Hammond Lane, Dublin was also announced.

Minister Harris said: “I know that An Garda Síochána and the local communities of Macroom and Clonmel and the wider surrounds have long been eager to see progress on the development of both of these garda stations and I am delighted to say that today’s announcement will help speed up the delivery of these vital projects.

“By decoupling these projects from the Justice PPP project and using traditional exchequer funding, it is estimated that these garda stations will be delivered quicker.

“I know their completion will be a priority for the Office of Public Works working closely with An Garda Síochána.”

Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW Patrick O’Donovan said: “The OPW will progress the first stage of the two projects and form a design team to complete detailed design and preparation of tender documentation. Tender issue is expected Q4 2023/Q1 2024 and works to commence on site in 2024.”

Fianna Fáil TD Aindrias Moynihan welcomed the news. “It’s especially important as the Macroom station will be the new regional headquarters for An Garda Siochana.”

Deputy Moynihan said that last month he called on Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to “urgently” advance the construction of a new regional garda headquarters. Planning permission for the headquarters was granted in 2021.

“I’ve raised this matter on numerous occasions in an effort to progress the project, most recently in the Dáil last month when I urged the Taoiseach to prioritise the development of the site without delay,” Deputy Moynihan added.

“A new policing model has been rolled out in many parts of the country and is now being rolled out in Cork county. But a very obvious part of that policing model was missing for Cork because the Macroom site was not being advanced. Thankfully that is set to change due to Exchequer funding.”