SOME 39 Garda stations earmarked for closure could be sold to individual gardaí or used for community activities under a new scheme proposed by Minister of State Brian O’Shea.
He has now asked officials within the Office of Public Works, for which he is responsible and which owns and maintains Garda stations, to complete an audit of those stations to be closed and assess if they could be sold and for what purposes. Eight are already closed, with 31 more to be added to the list.
“Around 20 years ago or so a lot of Garda stations were sold and at that time individual gardaí bought them [as investments], so that could happen now,” Mr Hayes told The Irish Times.
“There could also be some benefit to local communities to have a garda living there.”
“[Closed stations] could also be used by groups active in local communities. What I’m saying is that if people or local communities see a possible use for these stations that are to be closed, we are open to that.”
He added that some of the stations already had living quarters attached, a fact that might make them attractive to individual buyers.
While the property market was depressed, there may still be interested parties.
He had already asked his officials in the OPW to assess the condition of the stations and determine if they could be used for other purposes if sold on.
He said that if closed stations were not sold and were left empty they would still need to be maintained by the OPW and they would also have to be secured.
The proposal by Mr Hayes follows an announcement in the budget by Minister for Justice Alan Shatter that 31 Garda stations, from a total 703, would close as a cost-saving measure.
The move has been criticised by Opposition parties, the Garda Representative Association and Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors.
Fianna Fáil’s spokesman on justice Dara Calleary said it “beggars belief” that Loughglynn Garda station in Co Roscommon had been included in the list of stations earmarked for closure when it was undergoing “major renovation and redecoration”.
This was being done at considerable expense to the taxpayer, even though the station would soon close.
A spokeswoman for Mr Shatter said he had not chosen what stations would be closed. Instead the locations had been identified by the Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan.
Mr Calleary has said these assertions contradict what Mr Shatter said in the Dáil 10 days ago.
On that occasion, when being questioned by Mr Calleary about what Garda stations would close, Mr Shatter said: “We have the Garda Commissioner’s report and this has to go to the Cabinet before we make a final decision.”
“I am not being misleading in any way when I say to the Deputy that I am not in a position to make announcements until Cabinet colleagues have been made aware of the content of the report and a final decision has been made.
“That decision will be announced next week,” the Minister for Justice said.
Garda stations earmarked for closure
A TOTAL of 39 stations are to close or have already been closed.
The 31 Garda stations which are to be closed during 2012 are as follows:
Dublin Metropolitan Region (4) Rush, Whitehall, Dalkey and Harcourt Terrace.
Western Region (8) Corrandulla in Galway; Glenisland, Tourmakeady, Mulranny and Bellacorik in Mayo; Loughglynn and Cootehall in Roscommon/ Longford; Carrigaholt in Clare
Southern Region (10) Shanagolden and Doon in Limerick; Glenville in north Cork; Knocknagree, Ballyfeard, Goleen and Inchigeela in west Cork; Ballylongford, Moyvane and An Clochán in Kerry.
Northern Region (8) Clontibret and Smithborough in Monaghan; Tullyvin in Cavan; Culdaff and Dunkineely in Donegal; Kiltyclogher, Bunnanadden and Drumkeeran in Sligo/Leitrim.
South Eastern Region (1) Baldwinstown, Wexford.
The eight Garda stations that will not reopen are: Castletownshend and Ballygurteen in west Cork; Ballinure and Ballinderry in Tipperary; Ballywilliam in Wexford; Doochary in Donegal; Geashill in Laois/Offaly and Tarmonbarry in Roscommon/Longford.