€200k works start on Garda station roof, three years after major building project

Work, estimated to cost €200,000, is underway on the roof of Athlone Garda Station, just over three years after a €9.1m refurbishment and expansion project on the building was completed.

The Office of Public Works has said the work currently taking place involves the replacement of existing roof felt, slate and concealed lead gutters.

It said during the design stage of the previous refurbishment and expansion project, a visual inspection of the roof found it to be in good condition. Now, however, it has been deemed necessary to undertake the new works.

The OPW said: “The refurbishment and expansion of Athlone Garda District Headquarters achieved substantial completion on Tuesday 14 December 2021.

“During the design stage of the project, a visual inspection of roof was undertaken and it was deemed to be in good condition.

“The original construction contract included some minor repair work to the original roof to accommodate the extension. This work was limited to gutter and parapet alterations at the junction of the new roof installation along with the replacement of damaged ridge tiles.

“The minor works that are currently underway are the replacement of existing roof felt, slate and concealed lead gutters. The estimated cost of these works, which are ongoing will be in the region of €200,000,” it said.

The Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, local TD Kevin 'Boxer' Moran, told the Westmeath Independent that a number of roof leaks had been identified. When slates had been removed for inspection it was found that section of the roof was in poor condition.

Asked why the work had not been done initially, he said the roof was looked at and the work was not deemed necessary. “It's money being spent on the building and it's good news,” he stressed, adding that all of the old Garda Station will now have been refurbished.

Work began on the project in the summer of 2018 and continued until late 2021, with Covid having resulted in some delays.

It involved the complete refurbishment of the former social welfare building, adjacent to the existing Garda station building on Barrack Street, and the redevelopment of the old barracks building, to bring it up to modern standards. A new link between the two premises was also constructed, resulting in the station doubling in size.

Cllr Aengus O'Rourke has voiced criticism of the handling of the project by the OPW, citing the 'extensive' works underway on the roof.

He also claimed work on the barracks was delayed mid-construction when mains power cables were found under the site which forced a shutdown and a delay.

“The barracks was built with no parking for Garda cars, Garda vans, prison vans, staff cars or those visiting the barracks on business. No workplace building would be given planning permission without properly addressing the parking needs of the organisation. Furthermore, there is extensive works underway on our newly built Garda Barrack to make repairs to the new roof.”