Limerick Fire station set to be upgraded

LIMERICK’S city centre fire station is to be upgraded after plans were approved by councillors.

Fire service staff secured permission to redevelop part of the station in Mulgrave Street which dates back to 1984.

At present, part of the building is inaccessible due to damage to its outer wall.

As part of the work, this issue will be addressed, while other improvements will be made to the station at the same time.

Addressing councillors, Gerard O’Donoghue, the assistant chief fire officer said: “We need to replace all the brick on the outside of the station in Mulgrave Street. The nature of the works is extensive, so we’ve taken the opportunity to add a lift into the building to make it compliant for disability access.”

As a result of the addition of the lift and the replacement of the brick work, it will mean more space on the ground floor, he added.

“It's presented an opportunity to refresh the building,” he added, pointing to a redesign of the exterior of the 1980s-era complex.

Study underway on location of new train station in Limerick

In documents presented to councillors, it was stated the works are to “revamp the office space” and create a “functional and modern environment” giving “efficiency, comfort and productivity.”

The energy efficiency of the building will be improved as a consequence of these works.

Since the development is taking place on council lands, it is the role of councillors to approve or reject the project.

At this month’s metropolitan meeting, they rubber-stamped the plan.

Fine Gael councillor Daniel McSweeney proposed, with Social Democrats councillor Elisa O’Donovan formally seconding its passage.

She said: “These works are long overdue. It’s very welcome to see this happening. The work our fire service does from Mulgrave Street is really important.”