€1.26m building to replace firebombed garda station

Construction is to start next March on a garda station which will be built on the site of one which was firebombed in 2008.

Minister for state at the OPW, Brian Hayes, confirmed a letter of intent will be signed next week for the construction of the station in Blarney, Co Cork.

Since the original station in the village square was destroyed by an arsonist in Oct 2008, 16 gardaí stationed in Blarney have had to operate out of a portocabin.

Fine Gael TD Dara Murphy said he was delighted to confirm the Government is providing €1.267m to build a hi-tech, purpose-built station for the people of Blarney, Rathduff, Grenagh, and the surrounding area.

Superintendent Con Cadogan, who is in charge of policing the Gurranabraher Garda District, of which Blarney is a part, said it was “excellent news”.

“The OPW are in final negotiations with the construction company and I’d expect that the contract will be signed within two weeks of the signing of the letter of intent,” said Supt Cadogan.

The new station will be bigger than the last and it will be extended to the back. It is expected to be completed within six months.

Two gardaí from Rathduff will also be transferred into Blarney, because the station there is to close.

- On Monday, six Irish Examiner writers look at the impact of station closures.