Controversial Stepaside station 'open in summer'

The controversial Garda station at Stepaside is expected to be open and “fully operational” by the end of June 2019.

The Garda and Office of Public Works (OPW) have decided the existing station building is to be refurbished.

Previously it was suggested the station be housed in modular accommodation. The plan is revealed in a briefing for the Dáil’s Public Accounts Committee ahead of the OPW’s appearance before TDs today.

Local TD Shane Ross campaigned to bring the south Dublin station back into use, prompting Opposition accusations of “stroke politics” when its reopening was announced along with five other stations.

The briefing document does not set out how much will be spent on the refurbishment, although the cost of a purpose- built station was previously put at around €1m by Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan.

Earlier this month, gardaí confirmed their agreement to refurbish the station as “the most effective approach from both a cost and time perspective”. There is no planning permission required for the work.

The OPW says the station “would be expected to be fully completed and operational by end of June 2019”.

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