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Garda stations put up for sale


Three Clare Garda stations, which were closed last year, have been put up for sale by the Office of Public Works (OPW).
The buildings in Broadford, Carrigaholt and Labasheeda are being put on the market by the OPW following their closure in the last year in an overhaul of the policing services.

The Minister of State at the OPW, Brian Hayes,  is now inviting estate agents to express their interest in disposing of the buildings.

Minister Hayes said his department has identified no alternative State use for the properties, though he added he’s received requests from various community groups expressing an interest in some of the former stations.

However, Councillor Cathal Crowe has criticised the Government’s decision to sell off the stations.

“I believe Minister Shatter’s campaign of shutting local garda stations and dismantling community garda resources is fundamentally wrong.  I also believe this campaign is a strong element of a wider attack on rural communities in the West of Ireland in particular. 

“Many Clare communities have seen their local services dramatically reduced over past two years. Eight garda stations have been shut down in Clare this year alone. Court houses, libraries, bank branches, credit unions are shutting down in many areas.  The HSE is also attempting to sell off some health centres. Small schools are under increasing risk of closure.  Small retailers and many other local businesses are under threat as a result of a continued lack of support from banks and Government.

“All of this amounts to a dramatic withdrawal of services in many communities across Clare. Unfortunately, the Government’s decision to sell off local garda station buildings will be seen as yet another nail in the coffin of rural communities,” he said.

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