That this morning’s re-breaking news story of the ‘Kerry Babies Case’ is said to have Castleisland Garda Station at its centre is testament to the facilities at the station which we were told about during its building process in 2010 and ’11.
When it opened for business in late 2011 it was believed to be one of the most modern and well equipped stations in the county and some of the most high profile Garda divisions were facilitated there.
Just over a decade after the old Castleisland Garda Station, on the appropriately name Barrack Lane, was damaged in an arson attack, local Gardaí finally moved into the new premises on December 12th 2011.
Temporary Stations
The move from its temporary station on Church Street was confirmed by the Office of Public Works after a year and a half long construction process with a €3 million price tag on the 1,600 sq metre building on the site formerly occupied by Tom Horan’s Mill.
The station was officially opened on Friday, July 17th. 2015 by Jimmy Deenihan then TD and Minister of State at Departments of the Taoiseach and Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Diaspora.
The station has a reception and public inquiry room, an office for the duty sergeant and area administrator, search room, doctor’s room and breath testing room, prisoner processing area and three interview rooms.
Forensic Test Facilities
There’s a lab capable of hosting the most forensic of tests needed and an indestructible records room and staff quarters and canteen facilities form the core of the building.
Other facilities include a secure visitors’ area, a scenes of crime and workshop laboratory, office and general crime unit, an office for the traffic unit, detective branch office, exhibits store, fitness room and general kitchen/dining facilities.
A conference room is included should the need arise. This runs parallel to the Tralee Road with a view from the Market Cross to Knocknagore – and beyond on a fine day.
Gone are the days when a local Garda made an arrest and had to escort the ‘prisoner’ to Killarney.
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