GRA welcomes news of new Garda Station for Macroom

THE Garda Representative Association (GRA) has welcomed the news announced this week that Macroom is to get a new Garda Station as part of the An Garda Síochána Building & Refurbishment Programme 2016 – 2021.

Jason Collins, GRA rep for Cork West, said it has been a long time coming for the Gardaí who continue to work in a building that he said was condemned years ago.

‘They have finally recognised the conditions that gardaí there have to work in and now we just hope the planning can be progressed at a quick rate. While we are number one on the list, the only way to get it there is to get the planning across,’ said Jason.

Cork North West TD Michael Creed has also welcomed the inclusion of Macroom Garda Station in the building programme.

‘This work will help ensure that our Garda station will be modern and fit for purpose,’ said Mr Creed.

‘Last year I brought the Minister for Justice to Macroom to visit the existing Garda Station to inspect first hand the urgency of the situation there,’ he recalled. 

‘I am pleased that these efforts have now borne fruit and that Macroom tops the lists of new stations earmarked for construction under the new building programme.’

The project is being funded through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) and Michael Creed said he is keen for the project to proceed to construction as soon as possible.

‘A site has been procured adjoining the site of the new Macroom Fire Station,’ he said. 

‘I have already been in contact with authorities regarding planning permission and the next stage of progress will be to finalise design and proceed to planning.’