A VACANT former Tourist Office building on O’Connell Street in Limerick City has been touted as a perfection location for a pop-up Garda Station.
That’s according to one local senator, who said that a series of temporary pop-up Garda Stations would ensure all Limerick communities have a strong visible Garda presence.
Fine Gael senator Maria Byrne said that pop-up Garda stations have already been used as a means of deterring anti-social behaviour in Wexford and could be used nationwide.
“Pop-up Garda stations are a base within a city or rural area that act as an information resource for members of the public and help increase Garda visibility,” she explained.
“The roll out of more pop-up stations on a temporary basis would provide those living in rural communities greater access to Garda services and provide a greater sense of security, especially to the elderly in these communities.
“In our cities, like Limerick, it will increase the visibility of the Gardaí and ensure better community policing tactics.”
Senator Byrne believes there are several possible buildings in Limerick City that could be used for a pop-up station, such as the vacant former tourist office on the city’s main thoroughfare.
“This would be a prime location within the city centre,” she suggested.
“Pop-up stations are an excellent means of providing people with a greater sense of security and they bring policing right to the heart of the community.
“We’ve seen the introduction of 10 Garda Community Engagement Vans, which act as mobile Garda stations where a range of services can be provided to the public. This is a fantastic model that could be replicated in a pop-up Garda station in Limerick.”
Senator Byrne said that “we have seen the successful roll out of pop-up stations in Wexford, and I believe this would be a great addition for Limerick and other towns and cities across Ireland”.
