The Pat Kenny Show A new garda station at Citywest is being considered
Oct 30, 2025
Conor Gallagher, the Crime and Security Correspondent for The Irish Times, dives into the pressing issues surrounding policing in Citywest. He discusses the inadequacies of current police presence, highlighting concerns over under-policing. Gallagher also outlines preliminary plans for a new 24-hour Garda station on government-owned land, addressing local hopes for improved amenities and safety. The conversation delves into community fears and the complexities of deciding ownership and funding for this potential police facility.
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Under‑Policed Area Needs Modern Station
- The Citywest/Saggart area has long been considered under‑policed and relies on a small non‑full‑time station in Rathcoole lacking modern facilities.
- Placing a new 24‑hour Garda station on the large undeveloped Citywest site would address logistical and capability gaps.
State Ownership Makes Site Practical
- The State now owns a very large Citywest site with substantial undeveloped land that could host a new Garda station without buying new property.
- Using existing state land makes the proposal practical from a logistics and cost perspective.
Pair Station With Community Facilities
- Local representatives urge the state to allocate part of Citywest for community amenities alongside any Garda station development.
- Combine policing infrastructure with facilities like a library or community centre to compensate the local loss of amenities.