Tipperary site bought for more than €5.5m still without long-term plan almost 20 years on
There are still no long-term plans for a Tipperary site bought by the State for more than €5.5million almost 20 years ago.
In 2006, the Commissioners of Public Works (CPW) bought a 256-acre site in Dromard, Clonmore, Templemore, close to the existing Garda College for €5.5m.
The property consists of a period house, which is not in a habitable condition, and lands of 256 acres. The lands are made up of 160 acres of good grazing land and 96 acres of mixed woodland.
The site was intended to become a Garda Centre of Excellence, which would enable the provision of a full range of outdoor tactical training.
However, these plans never came to fruition, and the lands remain undeveloped, prompting Labour Party TD for north Tipperary Alan Kelly to raise the issue in the Dáil.
Deputy Kelly said that a previous response from Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan stated that An Garda Síochána had no plans to develop the site now.
Following this, Deputy Kelly asked the junior public expenditure minister Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran if he had any updates on plans for the site.
Mr Moran said that, due to the financial crash in 2008, plans for the outdoor tactical training facility could not be progressed.
“In 2015, following the advice of Teagasc/Coillte, a programme of development/restoration of the lands commenced at the farm. The development/restoration of the farmlands is now complete and was funded from the letting of the lands,” the junior minister explained.
“The period house has had roof and guttering repairs and security fencing has been put in place around the perimeter by the OPW. The fabric of the property is in good condition,” he added.
The lands continue to be rented out on a short-term lease, the north Tipperary TD was told.
The existing Garda Training College in Templemore has been in operation since 1964. It has the capacity to hold 520 students following major refurbishment work in 2001.
Trainee gardaí undergo 36 weeks of training there before being placed in garda stations around the country for on-the-job training.
“The long-term future of the property is under consideration by the OPW in consultation with An Garda Síochána, in line with their potential future requirements,” the junior minister added.