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Campaigners call for halt on Garda
works
05.03.10
A LOBBY group has
written to Inishowen Garda chiefs demanding that
work on a €175,000 refurbishment of Carndonagh Garda
Station be halted to allow for a public debate on a
long-promised policing HQ for the town.
It has also been revealed that the OPW remains "open
to offers" from Carn landowners willing to sell a
site at a realistic price, for a new station.
Carndonagh Community and Rural Development Co Ltd.,
wrote this week to Chief Superintendent Michael
O'Sullivan and Superintendent William Johnston
asking that the renovations on the Malin Road
station be suspended.
"In the absence of a proper debate on the subject
and clarification on current and future plans we
have asked that the Gardai make themselves available
for a public meeting in Carndonagh so an explanation
can be made and an outraged local community can have
their say," said CCRDC chairperson Raymond Doherty. |
A temporary public
Garda office was opened on Monday in Carn's local
authority offices following pressure from the local
lobby group who refused to be left without a Garda
presence in the town during the three month
renovations.
They now want the proposed €175K works including
internal refit and portable |
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cabin extension to be
scrapped in favour of the long-pledged Garda HQ for
North Inishowen.
Meanwhile, Senator Cecilia Keaveney this week
continued to question the sense in spending money on
an interim policing solution for Carn.
"The Commissioner...has confirmed that the
patrolling of the North Inishowen Policing
Initiative Area, which was centred in Carndonagh, is
now being dealt with under a planned weekly
operation driven by the District Officer to focus
Garda resources. This will include the use of
District traffic, crime and drugs units," she said.
Commissioner Murphy told the Moville-based
representative that the OPW had experienced
difficulties in securing a suitable site in Carn but
were still committed to ensuring this future need
was met.
"Indeed he did suggest that the purchase of a new
site remains open to offers from local landowners
that recognise the current market realities and that
offer the taxpayer good value in the current
difficult climate.
"Personally, I believe that a brown field site is as
likely an option as a green field site so I would
encourage people with existing suitable premises to
come forward with such suggestions. I have been
proactive in this respect ensuring that the OPW can
no longer say they have no properties or locations
to evaluate," she added. |
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