TEMPERS FLARE OVER GARDA STATION
The Fermoy Town Council meeting of this week was dominated by often times heated discussions in relation to the garda station in the town. Cllr Tadhg O’Donovan put forward a motion proposing that the council write to Justice Minister Brian Lenihan seeking a date when Fermoy garda station will be refurbished.
The councillor also submitted a motion that the council express disappointment at the decision of the Justice Minister to transfer the headquarters to Mallow. On the other side, Cllr. John Murphy put forward his own motion, requesting that the council meet with the Department of Justice to seek a suitable site for a new garda station in Fermoy.
As both motions were debated there was plenty of heated discussion supporting the conflicting views. Cllr O’Donovan felt that Fermoy would be lucky to get the station refurbished, never mind build a new one, especially with the track record of the minister, which he described as being ‘one next to dismal’.
Cllr. O’Donovan claimed that no money had been invested in the garda station since the headquarters was brought to Fermoy.
“We want to make sure the reply hasn’t changed, that the commitment he made, materializes and we want a date for it. By staying quiet we achieve nothing. The most important thing is to make as much noise as possible, otherwise we will find ourselves in the same situation as Mitchelstown with a 9am-5pm outfit”, he said.
“Realistically do we really think that the Government will agree to built a new garda station when they are taking the headquarters out of Fermoy", the councillor fumed.
Cllr Murphy emphasised that the current garda station is not suitable and that a new facility is needed. There was agreement about that at the meeting.
Cllr Aileen Pyne proposed to meet with the minister and discuss the issue, agreeing that the conditions are absolutely appalling in the facility and completely unsuitable for the job at hand.
Cllr O’Donovan voiced his puzzlement over the fact that some councillors were ready to support both motions. ‘It is not conceivable that one could support both motions as they are utterly different", he said.
Cllr O’Donovan’s motion ‘that the council write to Justice Minister Brian Lenihan seeking a date when Fermoy garda station will be refurbished’ was carried at the meeting.
Published:
Thursday 17th April 6:08pm
