Work starts on rebuilding arson-hit Garda station
Up to 30 construction jobs will be created as Cumnor Construction undertakes work on the €1.1m contract in Blarney, Co Cork.
The upgraded facility will replace a temporary Garda station which has been in place since the former barracks on the village square was severely damaged in an arson attack in Oct 2008.
The Garda station, rented by the State from Blarney Castle owner Charles Colthurst, was fire-bombed.
Arsonists broke in and set several fires inside, causing around €250,000 worth of damage.
Such was the extent of the damage that gardaí were forced to move into temporary mobile offices nearby.
A few months later, an attempt was made to petrol-bomb that temporary structure but the bomb burnt out quickly, causing only relatively minor damage.
In a third arson incident in the area, a garda operating a speed check from a covert vehicle was lucky to escape with his life when a man threw a petrol bomb into the vehicle.
It is believe all three incidents were related.
The building of the new Garda station in Blarney comes amid the backdrop of Garda station closures and reduced barracks opening hours, including the closure of nearby Rathduff station.
Dara Murphy, Fine Gael TD for Cork North-Central, welcomed the arrival of builders.
“Since it was burnt to the ground in 2008, the absence of a proper Garda station in Blarney has been a major concern for the people of Blarney, Rathduff and Grenagh,” said Mr Murphy.
“This development demonstrates the Government’s commitment to strengthening and improving Garda resources and to ensuring the safety of local communities.”
