LIMERICK Fine Gael TD and Office of Public Works (OPW) Minister Patrick O’Donovan has announced that the tender for the construction of the new Newcastle West Garda Station has been submitted.
The new station will be a three-story, 1,200-square-metre building at Churchtown Road in the town. The tender process will last seven weeks, after which OPW will appoint a contractor to construct.
In June 2015, an engineer’s inspection carried out at the behest of the Garda Representative Association (GRA) found the former Newcastle West station was too small and infested with rats, with the GRA describing it as “not fit for purpose”. It has lain idle since 2020.
“Since I became Minister for the OPW, I have worked with our officials to get this project moving along. The site was completely cleared as part of the first contract for the works and, as that was happening, OPW began the tender process, which has now started,” Minister O’Donovan said.
“This is very positive news for the town, the wider West Limerick area, the members of An Garda Síochána and the civilian staff who will work in the station. I have been assured by our team in OPW that as soon as they have a successful contractor in place, it’s their intention to start the construction as soon as possible.”
When complete, the new multi-million euro Newcastle West District Headquarters will act as the headquarters for the Community Engagement Team operating out of the Limerick Garda Division.
