Allen angered by likely closure of garda station

THE garda station in one of Cork’s oldest inner city communities looks set to close.

Garda authorities are considering closing the station building on Blackpool’s Watercourse Road and relocating it to the Blackpool retail park.

The station also provides garda cover for the MacCurtain Street area since that street’s station closed a number of years ago.

Fine Gael TD Bernard Allen said last night that closing the Watercourse Road station would be a retrograde step.

“The closure of the garda station will tear the heart out of Blackpool village,” he said.

“It will have a serious impact on the most vulnerable in the local community, especially the elderly and those who don’t drive.

“I would urge the Government to reconsider this decision.”

He also criticised Justice Minister Michael McDowell for a six-week delay in responding to a parliamentary question on the issue.

But a response from Minister of State, Tom Parlon, confirmed that the future of the Watercourse Road station is under consideration.

Garda authorities are working on the issue in consultation with the commissioners of public works, Mr Parlon said.

The news comes following a recent announcement by AIB Bank that they are also planning to leave Blackpool village and relocate to the retail park.