Two Garda initiatives revealed yesterday will hopefully put an end to concerns that have long been held by the people of Laytown and Bettystown and also residents in the parts of Drogheda that are in County Meath.
In the first, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris announced that a new Garda Station is to be built on a new site, to replace the small bungalow that has for years acted as the Garda HQ for the ever increasing population of the East Meath coastal area.
Welcoming the news, local Fine Gael Councillor Sharon Tolan said she has worked very closely with Minister for Justice Helen McEntee to ensure that the Commissioner was fully aware of the constraints and difficulties with the station in its current location.
“A small bungalow in a housing estate, with no parking for visitors, staff or Garda vehicles is not a suitable location for a Garda station, and the current accommodation has not been fit for purpose for a long number of years.
“Of course, the publishing of CSO figures was further data to support a new state of the art station that will deliver an enhanced service appropriate for a community our size, and indeed the proper facilities for Garda personnel to work in.
“As well as a new station, the Commissioner also confirmed his commitment to an enhanced service for the community of East Meath.”
Nash welcomes move on Garda boundary
The second announcement came when Chief Superintendent Alan McGovern gave a commitment that starting from next year, the southern parts of Drogheda that are in County Meath will be policed from Drogheda Garda Station.
Local TD Ged Nash said;
“Many of us have been campaigning for this for some time. The Chief Superintendent has said that this move will, from the end of Quarter 1 of 2023 see 6,000 locals in areas such as Grange Rath, Deepforde, Millmount Abbey and Highlands see their policing service provided by Gardai in Drogheda.
“On Monday, the senior Garda met with his counterpart in Meath to discuss the implementation of this long-awaited move.
“It is a very welcome development and I want it to be followed by a decision from the government and the Garda Commissioner to open Laytown Station on a 24/7 basis and to provide the station facilities and working environment the members of the Force in East Meath deserve and East Meath locals are entitled to expect.”
