Tenders for new B'boro station to issue later this year

A contract for a new garda station in Bailieborough is expected to be signed and in place before the end of the year.

Plans to develop the new station in the east Cavan town remain at pre-qualification stage, however this process is expected to be complete as early as next month.

According to the Office of Public Works, the pre-qualification procedures for the main contractor and reserved specialists continued during COVID-19 restrictions. It now expects that process to be completed early in the third quarter of 2020.

It is then hoped that tender documentation will issue later that same period, with a contract expected to be in place before the end of 2020.

It was previously stated that construction work will take a period of approximately 18 months to complete.

The Office of Public Works (OPW) will oversee the conversion of the former National Irish Bank building into the new garda station facility.

The existing building, which is a protected structure, will be refurbished, with a new four-storey extension built to the rear to accommodate the new District Headquarters.

The former National Irish Bank in the town was purchased from solicitor Joanne Kangley.

Photo above: The existing garda station in Bailieborough, a former RIC barracks, which has been deemed unfit for purpose.