Press release
Minister Flanagan officially opens new Wexford Garda Station
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Published on
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Station part of €100 million investment in three regional and divisional headquarters.
The Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan TD, Acting Garda Commissioner Donall Ó Cualáin and Minister of State at the Office of Public Works, Kevin “Boxer” Moran TD have today officially opened the new Wexford Garda Station in an event attended by representatives from all segments of local society including community and civil society groups.
Approximately 120 Garda personnel are based in the new station. It is one of three major new Garda regional and divisional headquarters recently completed. Two other major new Garda HQ developments have been completed at Kevin Street, Dublin (April 2018), and Galway (July 2018). The construction of these 3 regional and divisional headquarters involved Exchequer funding of over €100 million. These state-of-the-art facilities represent a major investment in Garda infrastructure and will significantly assist An Garda Síochána both in continuing to provide a professional policing service in their regions and also in the delivery of the Modernisation and Renewal Programme.
Speaking at the opening, Minister Flanagan said:
"We are now seeing the results of the unprecedented public funding provided to An Garda Síochána in recent years. In addition to the 3 top-quality regional and divisional headquarters completed in Galway, Wexford and Dublin, significant progress is now also being made by the Office of Public Works, in conjunction An Garda Síochána, in the wider Garda Building and Refurbishment Programme. For example, cell upgrade works have already been completed at 80 Garda stations.
"The opening of the new Divisional Headquarters is taking place at a time of major reform and investment which will redefine our national police service as an organisation. As we approach the centenary of the establishment of An Garda Síochána, the organisation is on the cusp of significant change including in its leadership. The expert Commission on the Future of Policing is in the final stages of its work; its report will chart a new model for policing in the decades ahead and will challenge us all to deliver a new vision for policing in Ireland. In addition, the incoming Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris will bring his ability and vital policing, security and change management experience to the challenge of transforming An Garda Síochána so that it becomes a model of policing excellence, equipped to deal with the huge range of challenges facing police services worldwide."
Minister Flanagan also took the opportunity to thank Acting Commissioner Ó Cualáin for his service in advance of his retirement in September 2018 and reiterated the government’s commitment to continue to deliver on the ambitious investment and reform programmes underway, in order to ensure a world-class, strong and visible police presence throughout the country.
ENDS
The new Wexford Garda Station on Mulgannon Road in Wexford Town was designed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) Architectural Services team led by State Architect Ciaran O’Connor.
The Headquarters is designed as a collection of monolithic blocks, constructed in brick with limestone details, that surround a central secure courtyard. It has a commanding location on an elevated site to the south of the town centre, with views over Wexford Harbour. The blocks reflect the main functional areas within the building – an office block, a training, meeting and Garda facilities block, and a block containing the prisoner processing and custody areas.
The scheme was designed by OPW to incorporate sustainable green design principles. It will achieve an A energy rating, has green roofs, solar panels for water heating, and low-power automatic LED lighting throughout. It is universally accessible and parking for members of the public and staff is also accommodated within the site.
The new station will be a vital part of policing infrastructure in the South-East and will support the ongoing Garda Modernisation and Renewal Programme. This state-of-the-art police facility has been designed to meet the present and future needs of both An Garda Síochána and members of the public.
In addition, the public walking route bordering the site along Harris Lane has been upgraded in cooperation with Wexford County Council, making it safer and more accessible to visitors.
A separate double-height HGV testing garage behind the main building supports Garda port operations in the South-East. Altogether, approximately 5,000m2 of accommodation is provided on a 2.8 hectare landscaped site.
The contract for construction of the headquarters was awarded to Templemore-based contractor, Duggan Brothers on 3rd July 2015 and many local subcontractors were involved in its construction. Works commenced on site soon after and were completed in September 2017.
Approximately 120 Garda personnel are based in the Wexford Garda Station.