COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN made by Cork gardaí that they are working in stations infested with rats.

Sinn Féin TD Jonathan O’Brien said Garda stations in Glanmire and Macroom are “infested with vermin”.

Cork News reported last week that gardaí described the conditions as “downright dangerous”.

Health and safety

The Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald was recently asked for her views on the matter and what plans there were to renovate the buildings.

I am advised that there have been two instances of vermin infestation in Macroom within the last year, both of which were dealt with by a pest control company.I am further advised that there have been no instances of vermin infestation in Glanmire in 2014/2015.

Garda Michael Corcoran, a GRA executive committee member, told Cork News that Glanmire station is infested with rats, and is in such a state of disrepair that residents are unable to attend the station to interact with their local gardaí.

In the Macroom station, which accommodates 40 staff, there are no facilities for female staff.

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Refurbishment

Fitzgerald said the replacement and refurbishment of Garda stations is based on requirements which are established by the gardaí, in close co-operation with the Office of Public Works (OPW), which has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of garda accommodation.

In relation to the two station in Cork, she said the purchasing of a site for a new Garda station in Macroom has recently been completed.

“I have been advised by the Garda authorities that the purchase of a premises for a new Garda station is currently the subject of legal proceedings. Accordingly, I am not in a position to provide any further information in relation to this matter.”

However, she said the gardaí have requested that the OPW bring forward proposals to improve the conditions of the Glenmire station in the short term, pending the outcome of the High Court proceedings in relation to the purchase of the new site.