HENRY STREET gardai have been granted an extension…. with the acquisition of the leasehold interest in the adjacent former Eircom premises, and designed to relieve the pressure on their existing building.
It had been indicated two years ago that the Department of Justice had expressed an interest in section of the now Foreign Aid building across the road, and which had been under construction, with a view to providing long sought after additional space for Henry Street garda personnel.
Contracts have now been signed for the red-bricked former Eircom offices, built in the 1970s by local developer Charles Humphreys.
Their new premises, which had been on the market for some time, have five floors of accommodation.
The current premises will be retained.
Inspector John O’Reilly said that, like all garda stations, the building is to be leased, and that a number of departments, along with Garda training quarters, would be transferred there.
“We are expected to be in situ for July of this year”, said the Inspector, confirming there would not be any additional holding cells in their new premises. The cells are to remain at the existing station.
There are around 350 garda personnel in the district, which includes Henry Street, Mayorstone and Mary Street stations.
Plans are also in place to relocate Limerick District Court to a more secure location in the city, and while a Henry Street site had been widely mooted, the likelihood now is that it will be built on a vacant space in Mulgrave Street, and close to the prison.
