THE construction of a new garda station in Macroom will allow for more investigative units, including the Divisional Protective Services Unit, to be based there.

The new €64million state-of-the-art building will replace Bandon as the divisional headquarters for the Cork County Garda Division.

On Friday Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan and Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran turned the symbolic first sod on the project.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly also attended the event at the site adjacent to the fire station at Gurteenroe.

The project consists of the development of a two, three and four-storey building with single storey ancillary buildings and secure parking facilities, replacing the outdated current station which was built in 1850. 

It will comprise of 4,338sqm of modern offices, conferencing facilities, staff support areas and custody suites. Contractors JJ Rhatigan are two weeks’ into the project with the site almost cleared despite the recent bad weather.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly told The Southern Star that this will mean gardaí working from the new multi-million garda station will have the best of facilities to work in.

‘It will mean that we will have a variety of investigative units including the Divisional Protective Services Unit, detective units and possibly armed support too all based in Macroom,’ he said.

‘This is really good for Macroom and its wider community and it should improve response and should improve facilities for members of the public coming into the station and especially for victims of crimes. We will have good custody suites and interview rooms too.’

Minister O’Callaghan said the new garda station represents a major investment in policing, community safety and public infrastructure for the Cork Garda Division.

‘It is central to delivering the government’s commitment to building stronger, safer communities by strengthening An Garda Síochána, expanding resources and modernising facilities to tackle crime,’ he said

Minister Moran said the construction of this modern, state-of-the-art facility is a vital development for policing in the south.

‘I look forward to seeing its progress over the coming months and am confident that upon completion, this new garda station will provide members of An Garda Síochána with a fit-for-purpose work environment ensuring they can continue to deliver their invaluable service to the community of Cork and the surrounding area.’

Cork North West Fianna Fáil TD Aindrias Moynihan said this has been a long time coming and it could not have come soon enough.

‘This is one of the largest projects we have ever seen delivered in our locality and seeing the shovels in the ground means we are finally going to see this building come together.’

Cork North West Fine Gael TD John Paul O’Shea said that establishing a modern Divisional HQ in Macroom reinforces the town’s role as a key administrative and service centre for the region.

‘Beyond the obvious policing and public safety benefits, this development will also deliver significant economic activity locally during construction. It is a strong vote of confidence in Macroom and in the wider Cork region,’ he said.

Construction is expected to be completed by May 2028 with Bandon Garda Station retaining its role as the divisional HQ in the interim.