Listen Back: Garda community engagement at the heart of the locality in Bailieboro | NorthernSound

The doors on the new multi-million euro Garda Station on the Main Street of Bailieboro have opened.Works were completed on the €24 million state of the art deve...

The doors on the new multi-million euro Garda Station on the Main Street of Bailieboro have opened.

Works were completed on the €24 million state of the art development in the centre of the town in recent weeks.

The new station in the town will also serve as the divisional Crime Hub for the Louth/Cavan/Monaghan Garda Division.

The completed project involved the conservation of the former National Irish Bank building and the construction of a new three storey over basement building to the rear on the site located on the town's Main Street.

It's now envisaged that over 60 Gardai and civilian staff will work from the Bailieboro station.

While an official opening is planned towards the end of September which will be attended by the Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan and Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly, the station opened its doors in recent days.

According to Garda management, the transition of moving from the former Garda Station in the town situated on Barracks Street is underway.

Superintendent for Co Cavan, Gavin O’Reilly says, “ the new purpose built station is one of the finest Garda Stations in the county, if not the finest, it's exceptional. ”

The former station itself dated back to 1880 and the facilities had become outdated for modern policing.

The new station which is a prominent building, centrally located on the Main Street of the town which is positioned in the heart of the community, says Supt O’Reilly.

Mr O’Reilly also paid tribute to the wider community, “ I want to thank the community of the Bailieboro Garda Division for their support to date and I look forward to that sustained support continuing with the aim of making the area safer for the people of this area.”

The super thanked all local representatives from across the political spectrum who have been highlighting the need for the station for many years.

The building itself is over 3 floors along with a lower ground level and it offers a purpose built dedicated custody suite that incorporates a number of cells towards the rear of the building.

Sergeant in charge at Baileboro Garda Station, Barry Crudden says the station is designed around an ever changing environment when it comes to policing.

Sgt Crudden said, “ the need for the new station for many years and has been at the planning stage since 2018.

“We are delighted to see the final product completed as the incremental move continues from the former station that had become outdated for a modern policing force.”

Superintendent Gavin O’Reilly says, “ it’s a phenomenal design which incorporates the new of the major extension and the old of the former National Irish Bank building.

“The station includes public offices, interview rooms, a dedicated medical room, and a number of offices for the Louth/Cavan/Monaghan crime hub where a number of serious crimes from around the district will be investigated.”

Ronan Gargan spoke to a number of guests live from outside Bailieboro Garda Station to find out more around the importance of Garda visibility, rural crime trends, road safety and crime prevention. Ronan spoke with Minister Niamh Smyth, Superintendent Gavin O’Reilly, Sergeant in charge Barry Crudden, Sgt Trevor Owens, Garda Lisa Stephens, Detective Inspector Niall McKiernan and Sgt Joe Glackin.