GRA refuses to believe OPW garda station news

THE Garda Representative Association (GRA) says it won’t believe the OPW has reached agreement with a landowner allowing a new garda station to be built in Dunmanway unless it sees written proof.

The OPW said yesterday that terms had been agreed to acquire land and it is waiting to sign legal documents. However, a spokesman couldn’t say when this would be done, or when construction would get underway.

Gardaí were forced to leave their dilapidated, rat-infested station five years ago. Promises were made at the time that the station would be refurbished and that a small piece of land would be purchased to the side of the building to provide for an extension. Eight months ago Minister for Justice Michael McDowell promised to speed up the process, after the GRA staged a protest in Dunmanway.