Thumbs down by Minister for new extension on Tallaght garda station
By Mary Dennehy
ANY improvements to Tallaght Garda Station or the prospect of a replacement building have been ruled out by the Minister for Justice and Equality, Francis Fitzgerald TD.
For a number of years, calls have been made for an expansion to the existing garda station, with others lobbying for a second station to be built in the Tallaght area to cater for the area’s massive population and diverse, sprawling landscape.
In previous interviews with The Echo, senior Garda management have said that a second Garda station in Tallaght is not required.
However, senior management have stressed that the local force of 175 officers, eight Garda Reserves and 11 civilian staff, who are spread between the station and a rented room beside the Plaza Hotel, could benefit from an extension to the existing building.
Dublin South West TD John Lahart (Fianna Fail) recently asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald TD if she would allocate “additional manpower, vehicles and resources” to Tallaght Garda Station.
He also sought confirmation on when the “long promised redevelopment of the station” would begin, in light of the area’s “major population and high rate of crime”.
Responding to Deputy Lahart, Minister Fitzgerald said that she has been “advised by the Commissioner that there are no plans to provide a new station or for major refurbishment works to Tallaght Garda Station at this time.”
She continued: “As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel and vehicles, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
“I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that the allocation of Gardaí is continually monitored and reviewed, taking into account all relevant factors including crime trends, demographics, and security assessments relating to the area in question so as to ensure optimal use is made of Garda human resources.”
