Garda units HQ ‘will not be big enough’

A major new headquarters planned for specialist Garda units will not be big enough to accommodate all personnel currently based in its existing building in Harcourt Square, the acting Garda commissioner has warned.

Based on a budget of €80m allocated to the project, Dónall Ó Cualáin has told the Policing Authority that the proposed new building for the Garda National Support Services on Military Road in Kilmainham will not accommodate existing staff numbers.

Mr Ó Cualáin claimed additional funding will be required to find alternative offices for some staff currently based in Harcourt Square when they are forced to move out in four years’ time.