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An Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Minister Brian Hayes hand over the former Garda Station in Tourmakeady to the local community

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Minister of State, Brian Hayes were in Tourmakeady, Co. Mayo today (21 February) to officially hand over the keys of the former Garda Station for community use. A local group, Coiste Cultúr Teanga agus Forbartha Thuar Mhic Éadaigh Teo, had submitted a formal proposal to the OPW as part of its Disposal Policy for former Garda Stations. The Coiste is involved in the revitalisation of the Irish language and its members represent most of committees and organisations in Tourmakeady and the surrounding area.

Speaking at the handover, the Taoiseach said, “I am delighted the Tourmakeady Garda Station will become the new home of Coiste Cultúr Teanga and Forbartha Thuar Mhic Éadaigh. From their new base, these organisations will do great work for the Tourmakeady area in promoting tourism and local businesses. I commend them for their successful application to the OPW for the use of the Garda station for the valuable community work that they do and I wish them the best of luck in their new location."

Minister Hayes also welcomed the handover of the keys to the local community and continued by setting out the future for all such properties, “While our priority is to either sell these sites or to obtain other State uses for them, we will seriously consider proposals that come from community groups with a proven track record in delivering local services in their community. Coiste Cultúr Teanga agus Forbartha Thuar Mhic Éadaigh Teo are a perfect example of that enterprising community spirit and I applaud their proactive approach and wish them every success with their planned activities. ”

Coiste Cultúr Teanga agus Forbartha Thuar Mhic Éadaigh Teo

Coiste Cultúr Teanga agus Forbartha Thuar Mhic Éadaigh Teo are a limited company with 8 directors from the local community. The Coiste is involved in the revitalisation of the Irish language and its members represent most of committees and organisations in Tourmakeady and the surrounding area. The Coiste works with Mayo County Council, Údarás na Gaeltacht, Mayo County Community Forum, Mayo Sports Partnership, Tóchar Valley Rural Community Network, Mayo County Childcare, Mayo Walks, Mayo in Motion, Croí, Coillte, South West Mayo Development Company TUS, FAS, and RSS schemes. The Coiste intend using the building for the following activities:

to promote all aspects in relation to tourism in Tourmakeady i.e. places of interest/all outdoor activities/sports,

to promote local businesses/crafts/ heritage/etc and local services and amenities in the area to promote Community Alert

to provide a comfort area for families using the new recreational park facilities

to provide a space for the TUS supervisor

to provide a small meeting area for organisations

to keep and maintain in good condition with help from the existing schemes and community members

Garda Station Closures Closure of Garda Stations is a policing matter and for the Minister of Justice/An Garda Síochána. 139 closures were announced over two policing plans i.e. 39 in December 2011 and 100 in December 2012. In March 2013 Minister Hayes announced an OPW disposal policy, briefly as follows:

Option 1) Other State Use;

Option 2) Sale on open market –

Option 3) Consideration if options 1 and 2 not suitable (for whatever reason) given to applications from Community/Voluntary Groups;

Types of Community/Voluntary Groups: Various voluntary/community/sporting groups have expressed an interest in acquiring usage. Examples of usage are community meeting point, amateur dramatics, parents' associations, festival committees, sporting groups (space for team meetings rather than training), location for presentation of prizes following events, scouts, dancing groups, active retirement facilities and meeting point, card games, training courses or children's parties.

Options 1 and 2 will be fully explored first before applications are considered from various groups.

To date, 13 former Garda Stations have been assigned by the OPW for Community use:

Ballycastle, Co. Mayo

Ballymote, Co. Sligo

Beaufort & Ballinskelligs, Co. Kerry

Castletownshend, Co. Cork

Cliffony, Co. Sligo

Cootehall, Co. Roscommon

Dromahair, Co. Leitrim

Harcourt Terrace, Dublin

Kilgarvan, Co. Kerry

Mulranny, Co. Mayo

Tourmakeady, Co. Mayo

Bunbeg, Co. Donegal