Taoiseach Simon Harris turns sod on €30m upgrade of Portlaoise Garda Station

Taoiseach Simon Harris has stuck the first shovel in the ground on a long awaited upgrade of the Laois Offaly Garda Divisional Headquarters at Portlaoise Garda Station.

The Taoiseach threw up the symbolic first sod in the air with gusto, along with Minister for Justice Helen McEntee, Minister of State for the OPW Kieran O'Donnell, and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris, on Friday morning, November 1.

It marks the start of the multi-million upgrade of the garda station, which includes a three storey extension, and is estimated at the moment to cost €28 million and be complete in mid 2027, a 2.5 year build.

The Taoiseach said he was delighted to be in Portlaoise for the occasion.

He said it will benefit not just Gardaí based in the station but also Gardaí in the Laois Offaly division.

“It’s just the latest in a number of capital projects we have underway in Garda stations across the country. It’s really important because An Garda Siochána has undergone significant reform in recent years. It’s important that is backed up by significant investments," he said.

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said the upgraded station will be 'state of the art'.

“I’m really pleased to be in Portlaoise today, to be joined by An Taoiseach and members of An Garda Síochána, OPW, the community and our developers.

"This is a really important project, not just for the town of Portlaoise but for the division of Laois Offaly. This will provide a state of the art facility. I want to compliment the Gardaí, the OPW and so many people who worked for many years to make this happen. I look forward to seeing builders on site and most importantly this building opening in the years ahead," she said.

Commissioner Drew Harris told the Leinster Express / Laois Live that the works will take 24 to 28 months.

"This is a big opportunity for Garda here locally. This is going to be a divisional headquarters serving Laois Offaly, a population of 170,000 people. This is a real investment in policing here. We are very proud of our local connection. We are very pleased that it is going to remain in the heart of the town where people want us and want to connect with us. All in all it’s a really positive development and we are really pleased to see this happening.

"This is a big investment in the town and in the services we provide. It is of strategic importance to us in terms of Laois and Offaly. This will become a real hub for the delivery of policing services.

"Our co-location close to the courts is also important. As is the proximity to Portlaoise prison as well. There are very good reasons to have a refurbished top class facilities here and that's what we seek to deliver," the Garda Commissioner said.

The Leinster Express also asked the Commissioner how important it is to build the long awaited domestic abuse refuge for Laois. 

"I know that's a huge priority for the department. Operationally for us it's a huge priority, in terms of our local protective service units. We have invested in personnel and also their training and expertise. We can see just some of the awful crimes that have been brought to justice and perpretators brought to justice. That's testament of the investment in the whole criminal justice system to those victims who have suffered horrendous crimes. We want to provide a service that is professional, with expertise and also is empathetic to the victim," he said.

Tony Lonergan is Chief Superintendent of the Laois Offaly Garda Division.

"An Garda Siochana in the Laois/Offaly Division welcome the development of the Garda Station at Portlaoise.  This represents a significant investment in policing for Portlaoise & the wider Laois/Offaly Division.  We look forward to working together into the future with all the stake holders & the public in providing an efficient policing service," he said.

It is some 50 years since Portlaoise Garda Station has received any significant refurbishment. The 200 years old building was built as an English barracks.

The public will be able to access Portlaoise Gardaí in a temporary unit at the front gates. Gardaí have been relocated to several premises around Portlaoise.