Demolition starts on Limerick garda station to make way for new district HQ

THE demolition of a Limerick garda station to make way for a new District Garda HQ has began. 

The Office of Public Works announced on Tuesday that the demolition and site clearance of the previous garda station, to facilitate the construction of a new District Garda HQ in Newcastle West has commenced on site.

The tender process for the enabling works for Newcastle West garda station is now complete and the tender has been awarded to the successful applicant, Scanlon Construction Ltd. 

The expected duration of the Enabling Works Contract is 12 weeks and is to be completed before the end of 2023.  

The construction of the proposed new Garda District Headquarters at Newcastle West is progressing in two stages beginning with the demolition of the existing station and ancillary building, site clearance along with the decommissioning and removal of all existing site services.

Detailed design for the new station is currently underway and all associated tender documentation is being drafted.

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The tender for the construction of the new station is due to be issued before the end of 2023 with the aim of works commencing on site in 2024.

The new garda station will consist of a new three-storey building of 1,151 square metres on a site of circa 0.1651 hectares.

It will replace the old garda station on the site and will provide the operational, functional and accommodation requirements to deliver the new Garda Operating Model. 

The new station will operate as the new headquarters for Community Engagement in the Limerick Garda Division, as per the new Garda operating model which was recommended by the Commission on the Future of Policing. 

Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Patrick O’Donovan, T.D., said: "Since we lodged the planning application and commenced the tendering process for phase one of this project, I have looked forward to seeing it progress to these next stages.

"Once completed, this building will enhance the public presence in the town while facilitating the policing infrastructure capacity for the region and the surrounding areas."