Frustrations as B’boro Garda HQ opening delayed again

Frustrations are growing as the opening of a new state-of-the-art Garda District Headquarters in Bailieborough has been put back yet again. Originally expected to be occupied by late 2023, the opening of the redeveloped National Irish Bank building has now been pushed out to early 2026 at the latest.

A spokesperson for the Office of Public Works (OPW) confirmed to The Anglo-Celt this week that progress on the almost €19M project has been hampered by supply chain issues, while denying speculation the build has gone overbudget.

“The project is profiling well within the original total project budget, which incorporated a contingency allowance,” assured the OPW.

They added while the project is “behind programme”, that this is a “complex project incorporating new build and conservation works. Some elements have been impacted by supply chain delays. It is expected that all works, will be completed in early 2026.”

A spokesperson for An Garda Siochána confirmed that the management of the Garda estate is the responsibility of the Office of Public Works.

In relation to Bailieborough, they said: “Substantial completion is due end Q1 2026.”

The new HQ build, which has been on the cards and in discussion since 2007, involves the conservation of the former National Irish Bank building on Main Street, a protected structure, with a new three-storey over-basement facility being constructed to the rear.

Initial planning permission was granted in December 2018. A design team was appointed thereafter and the contract awarded to Adston Construction Ltd following a tender process. Work began in January 2022 after COVID-19 pandemic restrictions lifted.

At the time, a 20-month construction timeline was projected by the OPW.

But more than 18 months after that finish deadline, work is still ongoing.

Adding to the complex nature of the development was a decision, taken in July 2023, to extend the new station footprint into a neighbouring property, formerly Hall's, to integrate a single-storey ground floor extension for sheltered bicycle and motorbike parking, storage space, and a secure Garda-only courtyard.

The new fenced off section will, once built, be linked to the main garda station at ground floor level and works include extending the secure Garda-only courtyard, with access from the Main Street, as well as the provision of nine extra parking spaces and electrical vehicle charging points.

Plans to facilitate this were approved by Garda Estate Management and are understood to be progressing as part of the overall project.

The OPW confirmed in February 2024 that proposed costings and updated timelines for these works and others were under review. By July the OPW assured that all works - original and additional - were scheduled for completion by the end of June 2025.

However, Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Kevin Boxer Moran, confirmed last June (2025) in reply to a parliamentary question posed by local TD, Niamh Smyth, that the project will be completed in the last quarter of 2025. The response noted that a “significant portion” of the new station HQ works were “complete” but An Garda Síochána would not commence occupation until all works are finished.

Bailieborough station currently serves as crime hub under the new local policing model that came into effect in December 2023.

It was previously confirmed by the retiring Garda Commissioner Drew Harris that a new Cyber Crime Unit will also be placed in Bailieborough once the new garda building is finally completed.

The current station at Barrack Street was deemed unsuitable for modern purposes by the 300-page O’Higgins Commission report. A former RIC barracks dating back to the 1880s, among the findings was that the conditions within were considered deplorable and not conducive to either good policing or good morale.

Meanwhile, the fate and future use of the Barrack Street station and site has yet to be decided.

In accordance with the OPW’s disposal policy, it will first be assessed for alternative State or community use before any sale on the open market. The latest delay to the timeline has sparked concern and disappointment in the locality.

Aontú Senator Sarah O'Reilly says that the community had long expected the new station would have been operational by now, noting the importance of a modern, properly-equipped Garda station, especially in a town the size of Bailieborough.

She described the delays as “inexplicable”, and the repeated announcements as distractions rather than progress.

Highlighting the poor condition of the current station, which she reminded is unsuitable for modern policing, Sen O'Reilly expressed deep frustration over the apparent lack of “transparency” and accountability from both the Department of Justice and the OPW.

Through a Parliamentary Question tabled by Wicklow TD Paul Lawless, she learned the total cost of the Bailieborough project - funded in full by An Garda Síochána - is expected come in at circa €18.69M.

In a statement to the Celt, the local senator warned that low morale among gardaí is being compounded by the inadequate working environment in Bailieborough, and called for immediate action, stating that continued postponements are deeply “unfair” and unacceptable.

“We had a FG Minister for Justice for much of these trumpeted announcements about the new station and this party used to proudly claim itself as the ‘party of law and order’. This is so ironic, it is not funny,” said Sen O'Reilly.

“Under its watch Garda numbers have fallen to the floor and a large Garda division in Baileborough is still waiting for a garda station.

“I am demanding accountability on this issue, and I will continue to press the Minister for Justice and the OPW to try and get to the bottom of what is causing the interminable delays with this badly needed building.”