Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 6 Feb 1996

Vol. 461 No. 1

Written Answers - Limerick Garda Presence.

Willie O'Dea

Question:

176 Mr. O'Dea asked the Minister for Justice the plans, if any, she has to retain a Garda presence at Mary Street, Limerick; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there are a great many elderly vulnerable people living in the immediate vicinity of Mary Street Garda station who are very opposed to the station being closed down in view of the fact that they were reassured by the Garda presence in the area; the requests, if any, she has had to meet a deputation concerning the retention of Mary Street Garda station; and if so, the plans she has to meet such a deputation. [2350/96]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

The gardaí at Mary Street currently operate out of a porta-cabin type building erected in the rear yard of the old station which was closed due to its dangerous condition in 1987. It is proposed to build a new Garda station at Mayorstone to accommodate the gardaí at Mary Street and Mayorstone. The Office of Public Works are in the process of finalising the purchase of the site. Plans for the new station have been drawn up and these will be finalised in the near future. It is not possible to say at this stage when work will commence on the building but there will be no avoidable delay.

While I appreciate the concerns of the elderly living in the area I have been assured by the Garda authorities that the police service in the locality is comparable to that in other parts of the city. I can confirm that I have received a request to meet a deputation of local residents regarding Mary Street station and I will be replying to this request in the near future.