Garda units transfer from cramped base

A MAJOR Garda transfer commenced in Limerick yesterday as up to seven units, including the immigration service, began to move out of the cramped Henry Street divisional headquarters to the adjoining Estuary House.

Among the units to relocate are the traffic corps, community policing, crime prevention unit, public service vehicle section, professional development unit and forensic traffic accident unit.

The CCTV control centre will transfer next month and will have four times more available space in Estuary House. Gardaí have, over the years, voiced strong views about an overcrowded situation at Henry Street, which was opened in 1977. Up to 60 gardaí will now operate out of the new location. Planning on moving into Estuary House has been going on for the past three years and the Office of Public Works have carried out major works on two floors at Estuary House, which was the former Eircom headquarters in the city.