Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)

A new site for a district headquarters Garda station was purchased in Bailieborough in 2018. A Part 9 planning application was granted in December 2018. After the adjoining site was purchased in 2021, proposals were developed to extend the project to encompass the footprint of the adjacent site.

The project for a new Garda station at Bailieborough, County Cavan, includes conservation of the existing former National Irish Bank building and the construction of a new three storey over basement building to the rear of the site located on the town’s main street. A significant portion of these works are now complete. The OPW placed a contract with the main contractor on 12 November 2021 and the main works commenced in January 2022.

During the initial construction phases of the development, the adjacent site to the east was purchased with the intent to improve the health and safety aspects of the new Garda station, to enhance the operational working of the station and to increase the energy performance of the building. There was an expectation by An Garda Síochána that these improvements would be realised at some time in the future. It made sense logistically, technically and financially to undertake these changes while the contractor was on site rather than sometime in the future, especially given the level of construction inflation being experienced at that time.

The purchase was approved by the Garda estate management and the associated planning permission for the works was granted in September 2023. These works can be described as additional works to the original contract. They allowed for the provision of extra secure operational opportunities for An Garda Síochána. The changes also improved safety aspects of the project such as enhanced fire strategy and additional space for turning vehicles in the secure courtyard, which was very tight, and improved the energy performance of the building.

These extra works are progressing as part of the overall project but have added to the time needed to complete the works on the new Garda station. Additionally, the invasion of the Ukraine in February 2022 led to supply chain delays for all construction projects and the Bailieborough Garda station project was impacted. The contractor and the design team continue to work to address these issues and progress the works on the site as quickly as possible.

It is expected that all works will be completed by early 2026. Thereafter, An Garda Síochána will commence occupation of the building. The date for the opening of the station is an operational matter for An Garda Síochána.