State-of-the-art Garda Water Unit officially opens in Garrycastle

The "professional and expert" work of the Garda Water Unit was highly commended by Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan, as he formally opened a new state-of-the-art premises for the unit in Garrycastle last Friday afternoon.

Minister O'Callaghan addressed members of An Garda Siochána at an event which was also attended by local OPW Minister Kevin 'Boxer' Moran and newly appointed Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly.

Established in 1964, the Garda Water Unit provides operational support to An Garda Siochána and outside agencies in search and recovery and evidence finding in marine environments.

Garrycastle is the location for one of two national Garda Water Unit bases, with operations starting from the premises in December 2020. A second Garda Water Unit is located in Santry, County Dublin.

In his address, Minister O'Callaghan said the state-of-the-art facility in Garrycastle would allow the Garda Water Unit to respond "effectively and expertly" when they are called upon.

"As Minister I highly commend the work you continue to do here in the Garda Water Unit. The work you do is carried out in difficult conditions, at unsociable hours and I want to assure you that the level of expertise and professionalism you show in challenging and sensitive situations is highly regarded by the Government," Minister O'Callaghan said.

The Minister referenced the "string of heinous crimes" which the Garda Water Unit helped to solve over the "last number of decades".

"As a Government we are fully aware the extent of the work you do. You play a vital role in our criminal justice system and securing convictions, helping to deliver justice for victims and their families," Minister O'Callaghan added.

With over 60 years of service to communities across Ireland, the Minister said the personnel working with the Garda Water Unit did so with a "strong mindset", being "expertly trained" in their various roles.

"It is a testament to each of you as members of the Garda Water Unit that you are so highly thought of in the work you continue to do," Minister O'Callaghan stated.

The Minister for Justice cited the need to provide the appropriate resources for An Garda Síochána to enable members to carried out effective work within the communities they serve.

"The Government is committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the resources it requires. Every investment in the Gardai is an investment in our community as a whole," the Minister said.

"We have been allocated a significant funding of €2.59bn as part of Budget 2026 towards the support of An Garda Síochána resources and you will be pleased to know that four new boats are due for delivery to the Garda Water Unit, while two new HGV trucks have already been added to the fleet."

Local OPW Minister, Kevin 'Boxer' Moran, lauded the "outstanding" work undertaken by members of the Garda Water Unit in "difficult and harsh environments".

"The Garda Water Unit members work in sensitive situations and often have to deliver stressful news to families who have lost loved ones. Today, we open a modern facility which will allow the unit to continue such commendable work in communities nationwide," Minister Moran said.

The OPW Minister stated that work on the delivery of the "state-of-the-art premises" started during his previous term in Government.

"Working with retired Sergeant Laurence Grimes and local councillors, we started the process for the delivery of this new premises with the aim of relocating from its original base at the rear of Athlone Garda Station. It is a great success story and long may the good work of the Garda Water Unit continue," Minister Moran stated.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly further commended the "committed nature" of the work conducted by the Garda Water Unit team.

"Over 60 years ago, what was then known as the Garda Sub Aqua unit, started as a small group of experienced Garda leisure divers who learned while 'on the job'. In time, the provision of training expertise and technological advances helped to significantly enlarge and develop the capabilities of what is now the Garda Water Unit," Commissioner Kelly said.

The Athlone Garda Water Unit base was established in 2000, "initially to the rear of the local garda station". As time passed and the operational requirements of the unit expanded, Garda Commissioner Kelly said the need to expand to a modern building "was identified".

"While allowing for the expansion of the facility, the unit remained adaptable and professional to ensure organisational needs were met at all times. The unit continues to provide an integral service to the community it serves on a 365 day, 24 hour basis," Garda Commission Kelly said.

The Garda Commissioner noted the "extremely rough and challenging conditions" in which the Garda Water Unit continuously works.

"Not alone to the unit's members work in the search and recovery of persons in significant depths of water, it is required to co-operate with investigations into issues of serious crime and murders. Such operations may take weeks at a time, the unit's members so dedicated to their cause that they may be away from family for long periods of time," Garda Commissioner Kelly added.

Referencing the state-of-the-art Garrycastle location, the Garda Commissioner said the new building now had all the "modern and specialised equipment required" to allow the Garda Water Unit conduct its work.

"I am grateful to the OPW for delivering this modern building which will cater for the unique requirements of the Garda Water Unit. It is ideally located with immediate access to a large road network and will enable us to provide a high quality service long into the future," the Garda Commissioner concluded.