Site search process underway for new garda station for Castletroy

THE PROVISION of a garda station for Castletroy has taken another positive step forward. A process is now underway with the Office of Public Works working in collaboration with An Garda Síochána to identify a suitable site for a new station there.

This forms part of an initial business case prepared by An Garda Síochána, for the acquisition of a suitable site/property for new garda facilities at nine sites throughout the country, including a new station for Castletroy.

As part of this process, the Office of Public Works are engaging with An Garda Síochána and will work in collaboration with them to identify suitable sites and progress the development of the business cases by An Garda Síochána.

Castletroy based Fine Gael Limerick City TD and Minister of State at the Office of Public Works, Kieran O’Donnell, said:

“Having secured the inclusion of a garda station for Castletroy in the latest Garda Capital Investment Programme 2023-2030, a process is now underway with the Office of Public Works working in collaboration with An Garda Síochána to identify a suitable site for a new garda station in Castletroy.

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“The need for this garda station for Castletroy is clearly evident, with Castletroy/Annacotty area currently having a resident population of over 16,000, swelled by a UL student population of over 18,000 which gives rise to a population of about 34,000. This excludes the large number of people working in the greater Castletroy/Annacotty area. It is expected that the resident population will grow to in excess of 27,000 over the coming years.

“I have long campaigned on the need for a garda station to be based in the high growth area of Castletroy/Annacotty, continuing to work on the project with my Castletroy based colleague, Councillor Peter Doyle.

“Central to this campaign was securing a submission in 2021 for a new garda station in Castletroy to be included in the latest Garda Siochana Capital Investment Programme to Garda Commissioner Drew Harris by the Limerick Garda district. I raised the real need for a garda station for Castletroy with Garda Commissioner Drew Harris at the Justice Oireachtas Committee on June 26, 2019, and followed up at the Limerick Joint Policing committee meeting held on December 12, 2019 following my invite for Commissioner Harris to attend to discuss the matter.

Minister O’Donnell concluded: “I will continue to work to progress the provision of this vital new garda station for Castletroy and have it operating as quickly as possible.”