Sligo Garda Station described as ‘unfit for purpose' - calls grow for progress to be made on new station

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

The long-running issue of a new Garda Station for Sligo was raised once again this week with Cllr Marie Casserly calling for “Immediate clarity and progress.”

Cllr Casserly’s motion before the April meeting of Sligo County Council called on “The Minister for Justice, the Minister for the Office of Public Works, the Garda Commissioner, and Government TDs for Sligo-Leitrim to provide an urgent update on the proposed new Garda Station in Sligo, noting that a site was purchased with public funds in 2018, including timelines and funding for delivery. The Council further calls on this project to be prioritised to meet the policing needs of the region.”

Speaking to her motion, Cllr Casserly called for “Immediate clarity and progress. I am requesting updates from the Minister for Justice and seeking clear timelines and funding commitments.”

Cllr Casserly provided a recent example of why the Garda Station is no longer fit for purpose saying she was informed recently of a situation where a woman with a disability applied for a job in the Garda Station. She was successful in her application but subsequently discovered she couldn’t access the station because there is no disability access.

"At a time when they are looking for staff to work there it has gone past time for talking. It’s a very serious situation when somebody applies, gets the job, but can’t take up the position because they can’t access the building.”

Cllr Casserly continued, “I hope this will finally focus minds and it is listed in the National Development Programme (NDP) as a priority project for Sligo and the north west and funding will be given to start the planning process.

The motion was supported by Cllr Edel McSharry who said, “Disability access needs to be improved especially in public spaces like the Garda Station.”

Highlighting that almost 10 years have past since the land was purchased for the new Garda Station, Cllr McSharry said, “This needs to go on the NDP and TDs need to ask questions. I would like to strongly support the motion.”

The motion also received the backing of Cllr Thomas Walsh who said, “The important part is to get an update and then get to the design stage. It has gone on way too long. We need to see the building progress at a much faster pace. The current station isn’t fit for purpose.”

Cllr Walsh highlighted the fact that a lack of space means there is no room for an armed support unit to be based, stressing, “Gardaí in Sligo are working somewhere that is not fit for purpose.”

The motion was also supported by Cllr Donal Gilroy who remarked, “This has gone on way too long. It has come to a breaking point.”

The debate on the motion concluded with Cllr Casserly commenting, “I don't know how many motions have to be put down before this is taken as a priority.”

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.