'Legal and contractual agreement' close on new B'boro station

The legal and contractual agreement for the procuring a site for the new Bailieborough Garda Station is understood to be at a very advanced stage and is nearing completion.

That's according to local Fine Gael Senator Joe O'Reilly who said he had received encouraging news from the Office of Public Works (O.P.W.) on the newly proposed garda headquarters for the east of the county.

After his discussions with the O.P.W. Senator O’Reilly stated: “I am really happy to have it confirmed to me that the legal and contractual agreements for the procuring of a site for the new Garda Station are at a very advanced stage and indeed nearing completion. I was very proud to have gained sanction during my Dáil term after many meetings with Minister Shatter and Minister Frances Fitzgerald for a new Regional Garda Station and Headquarters for Bailieborough.”

As published previously in The Anglo-Celt, the proposal for the new station is set to be incorporated into the former National Irish Bank (NIB) building on Main Street once the deal is signed off.

To include the addition of a three-storey purpose built barracks to the rear of the historic banking premises, it is to be included in the An Garda Síochána Building and Refurbishment Programme 2016-2021.

The existing station was build in 1870 for the Royal Irish Constabulary, and the accommodation criticised heavily in the recent O’Higgins’ Report for a variety of reasons.
Despite the addition of a two-floor pre-fabricated building in the station yard and work done to the interior of the building, it was stated in the O'Higgin's report that the current Station is no longer fit for purpose.

“It is not necessary to document all the defects or inadequacies in the garda station, which was in a run down and unfit condition,” the report said.

Sen O'Reilly welcomed the most recent development, describing the new Station as an “enormous piece of infrastructure” and will have a “huge positive effect” on Bailieborough town.

“It will be a great source of employment at construction stage and will go on providing sound durable jobs in Bailieborough for generations to come. It will be an extraordinary boost to the local economy. I am so happy with the overall outcome and I very much welcome this transformative investment in our town,” he concluded.