Welcoming ‘a new era’ for policing in Bailieborough HQ

Gardaí are now operating “at the heart of the community” in their new station in Bailieborough ahead of an official opening by the Minister for Justice next month.

A phased opening of the new Bailieborough Garda Station took place in recent weeks, as all operations in the former station on Barrack Street moved.

Policing commenced in the new premises on August 13, and an official opening by Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan is expected to take place towards the end of September.

The former National Irish Bank building on main street has been redeveloped, along with a new three-storey development, to form the headquarters. Work began in 2022 on the €24M project. It will serve as the Divisional Crime Hub for the Louth-Cavan-Monaghan Garda Division, and the Divisional Protective Services Unit for Cavan will also be based there.

The facilities in the new purpose-built station are “second to none” and will allow for “greater coordination and integration”, says Superintendent Gavin O’Reilly. The revamped station is also in a “prominent” and visible location at the “heart of the community”.

It is complete with a dedicated victim suite, interview rooms, a doctor’s room and a solicitor’s room.

It is believed that more than 60 personnel will work from the new station, with hopes for further increases in future.

Minister of State and Bailieborough native, Niamh Smyth, has welcomed the delivery of the modern new headquarters for gardaí and the communities they serve.

“Their increased presence will not only enhance policing services but will also generate additional economic activity and footfall for local businesses. With the official opening now just weeks away, the transition from Barrack Street to Main Street is progressing smoothly and signals a new era for policing in Bailieborough.”

The O’Higgins Commission Report was highly critical of conditions in the Barrack Street station, an old RUC barracks.

Supt O’Reilly acknowledges the work of those in advocating for the new premises, and work is ongoing to prepare the old station for return to the Office of Public Works (OPW) for State use or disposal.