No expansion plans for Tallaght Garda Station
By Aideen O'Flaherty
THERE are no plans for the expansion of Tallaght Garda Station, according to the Office of Public Works (OPW) and the Minister for Justice, despite the Chief Superintendent of the DMR South Division of An Garda Síochána suggesting that a free site next to the station could be used for expansion.
Chief Superintendent Kevin Gralton made the suggestion at last month’s West Tallaght Local Policing Forum, where he stated that “we are in the process of looking for a new station for Tallaght. The [current building] is seriously overstretched… and unfit for purpose.
There are no plans for an expansion to the Garda Station, according to the OPW and Minister for Justice
“We have a free site, we just need them to give us the resources.”
Calls for an extended station or a second station in Tallaght have been made since the 90s, as the population continued to swell and garda resources became stretched.
Currently, the gardai are split between Tallaght Garda Station and offices at the Plaza Hotel, which they have been using since 2009, where the community policing unit is based.
In response to a parliamentary question which was raised by Fianna Fail councillor Charlie O’Connor, asking Minister for Justice and Equality Charles Flanagan about any plans for a new garda station in Tallaght, he stated that there is provision for a property and exhibit store in Tallaght Garda Station.
He added that this provision is being granted as part of the Garda Síochána Building and Refurbishment Programme 2016 – 2021, however, this does not include provision for a new garda station in the area.
The minister continued: “I am informed by the Garda authorities that to assist with accommodation in the existing Garda station in Tallaght, the OPW has provided additional accommodation for An Garda Síochána in close proximity to the station, at the Plaza Office Complex, Tallaght.
I understand that An Garda Síochána took up occupation of this accommodation in October 2009.”
A spokesperson for the OPW confirmed to The Echo that there are no plans for the expansion of Tallaght Garda Station, and An Garda Síochána were contacted for comment but they did not respond in time for print.
