Contractors were on
site this week at the former Clubman shirt factory
in Lisfannon to convert it into a temporary Garda HQ
for Inishowen.
The local force will move into the roadside
building, on the outskirts of Buncrana, in around 12
weeks' time.
A Garda source told InishowenNews.com: "We're
delighted the work has finally begun on the
temporary accommodation. A local contractor started
this week and the members are looking forward to
moving in, in September.
"It will be great to have a comfortable workplace
after operating for so long in such dreadful
conditions." The long-standing Garda barracks at St.
Oran's Road, Buncrana, is more than 100 years old.
The former Clubman plant is now owned by Carlin &
McLaughlin Accountants. The large one-storey
building, situated on a straight stretch of the
Buncrana to Derry Road, will be leased from the
Buncrana accountancy firm by the Office of Public
Works (OPW) on behalf of the Department of Justice.
Among the work currently being carried out by the
contractors is the installation of office dividers
to create separate work spaces for Garda officers.
Meanwhile, it's expected the new permanent Garda HQ
at Ardaravan Square will be completed by the end of
2008. It will be a state-of-the-art premises and
among the most modern in the country. Because of
legislative changes such as those under the
Children’s Act, it will be necessary for the new
station to have a designated detention area for
children and juveniles. A sound and vision suite for
electronic interviewing will also be installed. The
forthcoming transfer of Gardai from their Buncrana
station, follows a ballot last year by rank-and-file
officers, sergeants and inspectors to stage a
walkout in protest at their working conditions. The
walkout was deferred to allow suitable temporary
accommodation be provided. |
