Bawnboy station to be put up for sale

The former garda station in Bawnboy is set to go under the hammer at auction in the coming months. The decision to sell the property marks a full u-turn on a government promise made nearly a decade ago to reopen the station.

The news has been met with frustration locally.

The former station was one of six earmarked for reopening in the 2016 Programme for Government following its closure under the Garda Station Rationalisation Programme of 2012–2013. That cost-cutting initiative, led by former Minister for Justice Alan Shatter, resulted in the closure of 139 stations nationwide. Other local stations axed included Redhills, Clontibret, Newbliss, Corrinshigagh and Smithborough.

In Bawnboy’s case, some steps were initially taken toward refurbishment. The Office of Public Works (OPW) even informed Cavan County Council that a €250,000 contract was imminent, with works expected to last around three months. However, delays occurred, including the discovery of asbestos and other unforeseen issues, which ultimately stalled progress.

By March 2024, the reopening effort had quietly lost momentum with then Minister for Justice Helen McEntee confirming to Cavan-Monaghan TD Brendan Smith that Bawnboy was already adequately serviced by Ballyconnell’s 24-hour Garda presence and personnel stationed at nearby Swanlinbar. As such, any decision to proceed remained under “ongoing review".

However, just a month later, on April 17, 2024, An Garda Síochána formally notified the OPW the Bawnboy station was “no longer required for operational purposes”, prompting the start of process to assess the property’s suitability for alternative State use, in line with department's disposals policy.

In October 2024, Minister of State Kieran O’Donnell confirmed to Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín that Bawnboy station was being “prepared for disposal”, and now a spokesperson for the OPW has confirmed that Contracts for Sale are currently being finalised.

“The Contracts for Sale for the former Garda station property at Bawnboy are currently being prepared with a view to going to auction in October or November 2025,” said the spokesperson. The decision has been criticised by local Fianna Fáil Councillor Áine Smith, who said she was “shocked and disappointed” by the move. She expressed concern over the lack of consultation with the local community to explore alternative uses for the site.

“There’s a sense of betrayal. Back in 2016 then Justice Minister said the Bawnboy Garda Station would be reopened. Since then there has been unacceptable delays in implementing that decision. The past two years we have never got a clear answer on that decision or on who decided to reverse it. It was clear two years ago the [reopening] decision was delayed, if not entirely blocked.”