Funding for major upgrade of Athlone Garda Station testament to Justice Minister’s commitment to investing in the force – McFadden

Fine Gael TD for Longford Westmeath, Gabrielle McFadden, has said the funding approval for a major upgrade of Athlone Garda Station is testament to Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald’s commitment to investing in the force.

“This funding allocation is great news for Athlone Garda Station and the force locally – it is an issue I have been campaigning on for some time now. I have made regular representations to Minister Fitzgerald and the Minister for the OPW, Simon Harris, on the need to expedite the new Garda Station project.

“It’s very evident that the existing building in Athlone is not suitable for both members of the force and the public. For example, the current station layout is not fit for purpose for the many people who come to Athlone to work in companies such as Ericsson and need to apply for visas and process their documentation.

“The Garda station has been on the waiting list for a significant upgrade and existing facilities are clearly in need of modernisation.

“Earlier this year, Minister of State for the OPW, Simon Harris, took up my invitation to view the existing station and to discuss the need for funding to activate the upgrade of the station.

“At all times, both Minister Fitzgerald and Harris clearly acknowledged the importance of progressing the project and I want to thank them sincerely for their commitment on the matter.

“The new Garda Station is a significant capital project where work on the planning and design has already been undertaken by the OPW, based on a brief of accommodation provided by An Garda Síochána.

“As part of the development, a link building will be constructed between the existing Garda Station and the former Government Offices nearby. The construction work will take up to two years to complete with important jobs being created in the process.

“Aside from the planned major refurbishment of Athlone Garda Station, Mullingar and Longford Garda Stations will also undergo refurbishment works. The upgrade of all three stations is a real boost for the Garda force serving across in Longford and Westmeath.”