Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chairman for allowing me to speak at today's committee meeting. I have been trying to get a response from the Minister for Justice and Equality on a new Garda station in Clongriffin, in north Dublin. I have been raising the issue for a long time. When I wrote to the Commissioner's office in December I was told there are no plans for such a move. I was told that the current accommodation at Coolock Garda station, which is the district's headquarters, requires development and it is a priority at this time, rather than commencing the prolonged process of building a new Garda station in the Clongriffin area. The Commissioner is very well aware of the horrific killings that have occurred in Darndale and Coolock. He is also aware of the demand for more gardaí in Coolock. The demand for a new Garda station in the Clongriffin area is connected with that. Since the shootings and the escalation in the feud, the Department of Justice and Equality said that An Garda Síochána is in talks with Dublin City Council to secure land for a new Garda station in Clongriffin. Could the Commissioner shed some light on the matter?