Bailieborough Garda Station to open in April

The new €19M garda station will open in Bailieborough in April.

Minister of State Niamh Smyth has confirmed the news to The Anglo-Celt having received confirmation from the Minister for Public Expenditure.

"It’s envisaged that over 60 gardaí and civilians will work from this building once fully operational," she said.

Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan visited the facility late last year to see first hand the progress on the project.

The redevelopment incorporates the historic National Irish Bank building on Main Street, a protected structure, alongside a new three-storey, over-basement facility to the rear.

Work began in January 2022. Originally, it was expected to be completed by late 2023 but the project was beset by delays including revisions to the development when a neighbouring property was acquired.

Deputy Smyth praised the "substantial investment into this massive piece of infrastructure for policing in East Cavan".

The existing station on Barrack Street, an 1880s RIC barracks, was criticised in the O’Higgins Commission report for “deplorable” conditions. It will be assessed for alternative State or community use before any sale.

"I know Gardaí are looking forward to moving to this new facility and utilising the substantive facilities and technologies accessible to them and which we witnessed on our visit," said Minister Smyth.

Superintendent Alan McGovern previously confirmed to this newspaper that the new headquarters in Bailieborough will serve as the divisional Crime Hub for Cavan, Monaghan, and Louth.

“Under the new operating model, we work across three counties, and the divisional Crime Hub for the entire area will be based in Bailieborough. That’s a very significant development for the division overall," he said.