MINISTER OPENS £1m GARDA HEADQUARTERS



Connaught Telegraph 22 May 1996


Owen pays tribute to Castlebar Garda officers

By TOM GILLESPIE

GREATER VIGILANCE was called for today to protect the elderly living in isolated areas from attacks by criminals.

The call came from Justice Minister Nora Owen when she opened a new £1m divisional Garda headquarters in Castlebar.

Unfortunately, she said, crime knew no county boundaries and every on had to help in the fight against crime.

She said: "Crime has been likened to a cancer in our society. It can and does cause as much misery and suffering as disease or poverty.

"In this day and age there is a greater need than ever before for vigilance in our communities and rural areas.

"We must be conscious of our ageing population and the fact that in some areas of rural Ireland the population is spread out over vast areas which may make particular houses vulnerable to criminals.

"It behoves all of us to try to reduce levels of crime and support those who are its unfortunate victims".

She said her law and order response was comprehensive and far-reaching. It included making available additional prison places; improvement of Garda structures, reform of the courts and putting in place meaningful legislative changes to the Criminal Justice system and was geared to tackling crime of all description whether in urban or rural areas.

Minister Owen added: "I am convinced that considered reform of the law within Constitutional precepts, that is aimed at standing the test of time, not 'quick fix' solutions, is the most appropriate and long-lasting response to developments in crime patterns.

The new Castlebar station occupies the site of the former Cavalry barracks which was completed in 1864 and partly converted to Garda use in the 1930's. It continued to accommodate the Garda Headquarters in Castlebar until 1993 when it was demolished to make way for the new building.

Garda Commissioner Patrick Culligan was in attendance were Chief Supt. Johnny Carey, Chief Supt. Padraig Tansey, now based in Mullingar and Supt. Joe Staunton.

Former members of the force were also present including veteran former Garda Vaughan from Balla.

The building was blessed in a joint ceremony by Rev. Gary Hastings of the Church of Ireland and Very Rev. Paddy Curran P.P., Castlebar

The Garda band provided entertainment as the invited guests were given a guided tour of the headquarters.

Minister Owen said she was very pleased to be in Castlebar for the official opening of the new Divisional Garda Headquarters station. The opening of a new Garda station, she said, was a special event for the Gardai and the community they serve and the opening marked a long and honourable tradition of policing in Castlebar.

She said: " Castlebar, the administrative capital of the County is a centre of growth and has many amenities to offer the locals and visitors alike.

"I am particularly pleased that £25m has been committed for an extension to Castlebar General Hospital and I know that 200 new jobs are expected from the expansion of the local American Conversion Company.

"The opening is yet another commitment to Castlebar. The new station occupies the site of the former Cavalry Barracks which was completed in 1864 and partly converted to Garda use in the 1930s.

BUILDING DEMOLISHED

"It continued to accommodate the Garda Headquarters here in Castlebar until 1993 when it was demolished to make way for the new building.

"As you can see the new building is a two storey structure with an impressive limestone colonnaded entrance portico and it reflects externally the local character of the many 19th Century townhouses in Castlebar.

"It has a paved forecourt and stone steps. Two sculptured stone lions rescued from the original entrance gate to the old Garda station also take pride of place at the entrance.

"I understand they had been designed to immortalise two local characters in the town namely the Ryan brothers - "Andy" and "Freddy". So the Ryans and the Lions are very much part of the folklore of Castlebar!

"Between the Mall and the Garda Headquarters there is a landscaped area with parking space for the public who have business in the station. As many of you know the Mall itself was formerly the cricket ground of the Lucan family.

"Another building of historic importance is the nearby Imperial Hotel, where Michael Davitt founded the Land League.

"A perimeter line of trees to the front blends in with the existing planting on the Mall. Also, in the centre of the building is a small internal courtyard or patio which has been tastefully landscaped with rocks and plants.

"I think you will agree with me that this project has filled a vital gap in the planning and architecture of the Mall and will greatly enhance the already dignified character of the town of Castlebar.

"The Station complements the facilities already in this vicinity such as the Library, Swimming Pool and the County Council Offices.

"The new building differs very much from that occupied by the retired members present today, I'm sure when they look around the new station they may be a little envious but never the less proud of the accommodation provided for their successors in the Force.!

Speaking of the retired members, she especially welcomed Maurice Dowling and Pat McCool. Maurice spent all his career in the Division and was Collator in Castlebar prior to his retirement.

Pat McCool retired in 1993 after 40 years service and worked in this Station as a young Sergeant and later as Inspector.

She said her attention was recently drawn to a photograph in an old issue of the Garda Review showing the Station Party with "one of the many Poteen Distilling Outfits" they had captured in the late thirties. While this is an area of crime Pat and Maurice may have dealt with in their younger days she was sure it did not cause the Gardai any problems today!

The Minister added: " The Gardai give a full-time professional police service and they do their job very well. However, they increasingly need your wholehearted and active support.

" I was very pleased to learn that there is a well supported Neighbourhood Watch Scheme and five vibrant Community Alert Schemes operating within a four mile radius of the town.

"I also know that there is a Victim Support Branch here in Castlebar. Here Castlebar is leading the way in displaying an awareness of the very special needs of the victims of crime.

"I hope that other towns of a similar or greater size will follow your example so that the victims of crime can avail of the services of Victim Support in their own locality.

"I think you will all agree that great credit is due to the Commissioners of Public Works, their staff and to the main contractor, James Cawley, Ballina Ltd. for providing such a fine building planned and designed to the highest standards.

"Before finishing I want to say again that I am committed to providing the Gardai with the best accommodation a modern police force requires.

"A number of building projects have been completed or are nearing completion this year including Castletownbere, Birr, Bruff, the Fraud Bureau and Pearse Street. Listowel, for instance, will be opened next Monday.

"This year work will commence on a number of new Garda stations including Blanchardstown and Store Street in Dublin, Longford, Douglas in Cork and Newbridge.

"In addition major extensions and refurbishment are scheduled to commence at Mountjoy, Thurles, Waterford, Clonakilty, Trim, Kilkenny and Raheny as well as many other smaller projects.

"The provision of almost £9 million this year for the building and maintenance of Garda Stations is ample evidence of this commitment."

SAD NEWS

The Minister continued: "Unfortunately, today's ceremony is clouded by the sad news of the untimely death of Sergeant Jack Healy last week.

"While based in Westport I know he lived here in Castlebar. His sudden death came as a great shock to his family and many friends.

"I wish to extend my deepest sympathy on their loss to his wife Elaine, his children, family and friend and colleagues in the Force. "I know I echo the sentiments of everyone here today when I say that Sgt. Healy and his family will be remembered in our prayers.

"May I wish all the members of Castlebar Divisional Headquarters every success in the future and in particular the recently appointed Chief Superintendent John Carey.

"John is a Mayo man and I am told that you played for the Mayo Football side when they last won the National League back in 1970.

"I am sure we will be seeing a winning Mayo team in Croke Park again in the not too distant future."

Connaught Telegraph - News - May 1996

Connaught Telegraph - Sports - May 1996