Garda station conditions 'deplorable'

eroo

Garda station conditions ‘deplorable’
29 August 2008

By Sean O’Riordan
POOR conditions and chronic overcrowding at a Garda station in Co Cork have prompted the force’s headquarters to call for urgent action to remedy the problem.
Garda management have written to the Office of Public Works (OPW) urging it to immediately purchase a private property adjoining Macroom Garda Station which would be used to facilitate an extension.

The Garda Representative Association (GRA) — which represents nearly 12,000 rank and file gardaí — said the 180sq m station was only suitable for up to 12 gardaí. However, 47 officers are based there.

And more gardaí, it emerged, are scheduled to be transferred to Macroom due to the decentralisation of the west Cork traffic corps.

GRA national executive member Pat O’Sullivan described conditions in Macroom Garda Station as “deplorable”.

“The station was built in the late 1800s for the RIC. The front of it is listed, which presents a problem for any renovations,” Garda O’Sullivan said. “But an adjoining property has come up for sale which would provide gardaí with the space they need. We want the OPW to buy it immediately.”

He said that, according to accepted guidelines, Garda district headquarter stations, like Macroom, should have a minimum floor space of 1,500sq m.

That, he said, was eight times the space available in Macroom Garda Station.

“The station only has two cells where, furthermore, it’s recommended that district headquarters have five cells.”

He added there were also a number of other deficiencies such as the lack of a doctor’s room as well as a consultation room for solicitors, while there was just one shower for male and female gardaí.

“Gardaí are falling over each other because of the lack of space. Conditions are very poor there,” he said.

The GRA warned if the OPW does not move swiftly to purchase the property currently up for sale, a golden opportunity will be missed.

“The Garda station is very central to the town and right next door to the courthouse. If this extension isn’t acquired it could mean that the OPW will eventually have to build a new station on a greenfield site outside the town centre. Local people wouldn’t like that and it could end up costing the taxpayers far more money in the long run,” Garda O’Sullivan added.

The GRA has also highlighted deficiencies at Kanturk Garda Station, which the association says was simply too small to handle the burden of modern policing duties.

Obviously there are stations like this or worse all over the country.I believe Tralee Garda Station is one of the worst as an example.Henry Street(HQ) in Limerick is badly overcrowded.Should AGS just start modernising EVERY station with a view to having it completed nationally in 10 years time?It would cost money,but from what I've heard it is something that needs to be done.

I mean a Station designed for 12 Gardai housing 47!!?:eek:

For the Gardai here,what are your experiences of the conditions in Stations?

Fyr.Fytr

Not going to happen, budget has been drasticly cut in cost saving measure.

Grin and bear it im afraid lads

Eru

Wont happen and wouldnt keep up anyway.

You have too remember that Stations were originally just converted houses built 200 years or so ago. Now we are seeing some stations that are custom built (I use the term loosely as they were not designed by police) but they are based on required numbers during the planning stage. AGS is Irish which means it takes years to get anything done and no one ever plans for the future.

Instead of saying Station A needs room now for 20 Gardai so build for that number they should allow for 40 and the stations would be around a lot longer.

Just look at the M50, why only 2 lanes at the start and expand now too 3 when we already need 4? Long term planning simple doesnt exist.

eroo

Karlitosway1978 wrote: »

Wont happen and wouldnt keep up anyway.

You have too remember that Stations were originally just converted houses built 200 years or so ago. Now we are seeing some stations that are custom built (I use the term loosely as they were not designed by police) but they are based on required numbers during the planning stage. AGS is Irish which means it takes years to get anything done and no one ever plans for the future.

Instead of saying Station A needs room now for 20 Gardai so build for that number they should allow for 40 and the stations would be around a lot longer.

Just look at the M50, why only 2 lanes at the start and expand now too 3 when we already need 4? Long term planning simple doesnt exist.

Well what about selling off some sub stations then?The Defence Forces/DoD did it with barracks and land to generate more revenue for the Forces.Could AGS/DoJ not do something similiar?

TheNog

eroo wrote: »

Well what about selling off some sub stations then?The Defence Forces/DoD did it with barracks and land to generate more revenue for the Forces.Could AGS/DoJ not do something similiar?

Agreed I think there will have to be a fundamental change in allocating resources mainly the actual stations. In my district we have 3 sub stations within 9 miles of the district HQ which I think is madness. At the other end of our district we have two stations within 4 miles of each other. Why can't we shut down 4 of the stations and make the HQ and one other larger stations, both of which are 24hr. I realise that people will not be able to visit there local station but if the AGS were to do this we could provide better on-site services for visitors. It is not like the sub stations in my district are used extensively by the public 'cos the members maning it are out patrolling etc. Actually the only people who use the stations are the members themselves.

The HSE or HEalth Boards back in the day made the mistake of building too many hospitals close together i.e. Tullamore, Mullingar, Athlone etc but the HSE are now attempting to set up these centres of excellence. The AGS in my opinion should be heading this way too.

In Eroo's post it says there should be 5 cells in the HQ but we have only 2 cells. The HQ station itself is over 100 yrs old and while recently refurbished is too small of us and not enough cells.

Eru

Thats a good idea Eroo. I know fitzgibbon street and Mountjoy are only 1 mile from eachother. Mountjoy only has a couple of cells and Fitzgibbon Street doesnt have any because they were condemned!

On the other hand though you cant have stations too far away from where it patrols and districts too big or the cars would never get to the outskirts and part time stations should no longer exist. Either the area needs a station or it doesnt.