Today, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris formally re-opened An Spidéal Garda Station to mark the completion of the new station.
The re-opening follows a programme of works, which began last year and involved the decommissioning of an existing prefabricated building and the building of a solid permanent building in its place on an existing site in An Spidéal along Mountain Road.
The reopening took place together with Minister for Justice Helen McEntee T.D. and Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works Kieran O’Donnell T.D.
There are currently two members attached to An Spidéal Garda Station, both native Irish speakers, who continued to provide a service to the local community operating from Indreabhán Garda Station during the period of works.
Prior to 1984, the old Garda Station at An Spidéal was located on the main street of An Spidéal in a building which was initially a Royal Irish Constabulary barracks until the formation of An Garda Síochána.
In 1984 a temporary prefabricated building was erected on the current site on Mountain Road, which was acquired by the OPW.
Last year a programme of works began to build a new permanent structure at this location to replace the prefabricated building.
Following the completion of those works a handover of the new Garda Station took place on December 18, 2023, and members have been operating from An Spidéal since then.
The upgrading of this station has led to a number of benefits to the community and those Gardaí serving here including the provision of modern office facilities and wheelchair accessibility.
In addition, it has enabled the introduction of an electric vehicle (EV), the first for An Garda Síochána in the Connemara Gaeltacht following the installation of an EV charging point at An Spidéal Garda Station.
Today’s event marks the formal opening. During the event, Commissioner Harris said: “An Garda Síochána remains committed to community policing and the investment in An Spidéal Garda Station is a prime example of this.”
“Today’s formal opening is a positive reflection of our dedication to providing a modern policing service to the people of Ireland.”
“I know that these facilities will further strengthen our capabilities here in County Galway, as an effective and efficient police service dedicated to guarding the peace and upholding the rule of law.”
