Garda station expansion project could be years away

The prospect of work beginning on the long-awaited extension and refurbishment of Athlone Garda Station could be some years away, it's emerged this week following a visit to the area by Minister of State Brian Hayes. Speaking to the Westmeath Independent, the Junior Minister with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, said he didn't think they would be in a position to progress the barracks project, estimated to cost €8.8 million, in 2012, but he hopes to prioritise it in the coming years. "I'm very conscious of the accommodation needs of the garda station. I want to make progress on this. I don't think we'll be in a position this year to do it but I hope over the next few years we'll can prioritise this particular case because of the need, because of its location, the region," Minister Hayes explained. Last September, Minister Hayes toured the current Garda station, telling the Westmeath Independent afterwards that the station was cramped and unacceptable for the 70 officers based there. He confirmed at that stage that the OPW had received 80 expressions of interest on the project and it was up to him and the Minister to secure funding from the Department of Finance. However, the chances of that happening in the short-term appear slim given Minister Hayes's latest comments on Tuesday last following a meeting with residents and flooding groups in Athlone. He stressed however, that he is confident of progress on the garda station development over the next few years. "The social welfare building adjacent to it was crucial in order in order for us to do the expansion. As you know, much of the decisions we make in the OPW depend on what the gardai prioritise to us and I'd making that point in Athlone as well. I'm confident we can progress over the next few years," he concluded The revamp project would see the garda station remain on the westside of Athlone, with a renovation of the current station, the refurbishment of the old Social Welfare building and the construction of an annex connecting the two buildings. It's thought once funding is in place that the development would take up to 18 months to complete.