THE main contractor for a new three-story, 1,200-square-metre Garda Station at Churchtown Road in Newcastle West has been appointed this week.
Local Fine Gael TD and Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation, and Science, Patrick O’Donovan revealed that the new Garda station will be one of the biggest buildings constructed from a public point of view in West Limerick.
In June 2015, an engineer’s inspection carried out at the behest of the Garda Representative Association (GRA) found the former Newcastle West Garda Station was too small and infested with rats, with the GRA describing it at the time as “not fit for purpose”.
The station has lain idle since 2020.
“During my time as minister for the OPW, I worked tirelessly to get this project up and running. Now as a cabinet minister I am delighted to see this project proceeding to construction,” Minister O’Donovan said.
“Work is currently underway to appoint the mechanical and electrical contractors for the project as soon as this is completed construction will commence at the site, the enabling works for the project including demolition of the previous station on the site have already been completed.”
Fianna Fáil Minister for State Niall Collins joined O’Donovan in welcoming the news, saying that “this project has been long overdue so it’s really good news, with both working members of An Garda Síochána and the public who used the previous facilities having to endure unacceptable substandard conditions. That went on for far too long.”
