I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this matter on the Adjournment. The Garda station in Castleisland, County Kerry, is currently housed in rented accommodation at Church Street in that town. It comprises four small rooms, including a public office, a sergeant's office, a dining area and a toilet which is shared by eight gardaí, two sergeants and the public. There is no parking adjacent to the building and it has no holding cells. The station is manned by two sergeants and eight gardaí. A female garda cannot be assigned to the station because of the absence of facilities such as a ladies' toilet. The gardaí attached to the station are divided into four units, each consisting of two members.
Castleisland Garda station is a sub-district of Killarney and covers an area of about 96 square miles. When Farranfore Garda station is closed, the Castleisland gardaí also cover the Farranfore sub-district, including the villages of Firies and Currow. Due to the fact that the station has no cell accommodation, there are problems at weekends, when there is considerable activity in the town and large numbers of young people congregate there.
When this results in public disorder, requiring the detention of unruly individuals, the gardaí on duty have no detention facilities in the Castleisland station. Consequently, any detention involves a round trip of at least an hour and a half to Killarney Garda station and, in the meantime, the town is left without a Garda presence, thereby giving rise to further problems. Business people and local residents are very concerned in that regard.
The gardaí in Castleisland are kept particularly busy. Already this year, they have served in the region of 300 summonses and warrants. There are approximately 600 licensed firearms holders in the area who have to be supervised. Detection rates for the penalty points system are very high in this Garda sub-district, which includes part of two national primary roads, the N21 and N22. The station is also responsible for immigration police duties at Farranfore Airport and supervision of explosives procedures at the local John A. Woods quarry.
On 3 March 2001, the original station was subjected to an arson attack which caused severe smoke damage throughout the building. Portakabin facilities were provided in the yard at the rear of the station to enable the gardaí to maintain a full service at that time. The station staff was subsequently moved to the present rented accommodation at Church Street in August 2001.
Since then, I have raised this matter through questions in the Dáil on numerous occasions. The customary reply was to the effect that the process of acquiring a site was still ongoing and I was informed that the successful acquisition of a site would ultimately depend on: agreement being reached on an acceptable price; the relative priority accorded to Castleisland by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform; and availability of sufficient funds to complete the purchase at the appropriate time.
I point out to the Minister of State that before the last general election, the then Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform visited Castleisland, where he met the local development association and other community leaders and promised them that the provision of a Garda station for the town would be a priority for the Government, if re-elected. That is now almost two years ago, but nothing has happened. The local gardaí and the community they serve so well are very anxious that a positive decision be made on the matter.
Numerous sites in Castleisland have been put forward for consideration but, for whatever reason, have been rejected. I understand the Office of Public Works is currently involved in negotiations for a site, not for the first time. On this occasion, I hope the Office of Public Works will purchase the site now on offer. In addition to the current strength of eight gardaí and two sergeants, there is need for a further two gardaí. I understand that approval has been given for such an increase but due to the lack of accommodation, it cannot be implemented.
I urge the Minister of State and his senior colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, to take this matter very seriously and to provide the Garda facilities in Castleisland which the local community and their dedicated Garda force deserve. It is inconceivable that in this day and age, Garda duties in such an important sub-district should continue to be conducted from a small rented premises.
That situation constitutes a very negative statement about the Minister of State's Department and the Office of Public Works. I appeal to all concerned to make this a top priority. I ask the Minister of State to arrange an immediate meeting between the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the local development association in Castleisland to discuss this matter.
