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Galbally Garda Station in South Limerick, which has been withdrawn from sale. Photo: John Barrett

The Office of Public Works (OPW) has withdrawn from sale the garda station in Galbally, South Limerick, The Avondhu can reveal. Earlier this month it was announced as one of 30 closed stations around the country to be sold off. Galbally was in the unique position of having two Gardai living in the station house and while they weren't stationed in Galbally, Garda Natasha Walsh works in Bruff, which covers the Galbally district and is liaison officer for Galbally Community Alert. Her partner is stationed in Cahir.

A GOOD RESULT

It's understood the couple, who are shortly to be married, made representations to the OPW following the announcement, while separately Jim Fitzgerald, chairman of Galbally Community Enterprise Group, also appealed to have the sale reconsidered. He'd fought for years to retain Galbally Garda station.

TD for the area Patrick O'Donovan also made representations to OPW Minister Brian Hayes, advising him that the couple were residing in the station house. It's understood the Department wasn't aware that Gardai were living in seven of the 30 stations being sold off.

The couple indicated that they wanted to continue living in Galbally and they secured agreement that they would be allowed to rent the property indefinitely, with the option of buying it at some future date.

"I'm delighted," Jim Fitzgerald said. "It's our fourth or fifth attempt to keep a garda presence in the town. The station is in the heart of the village and people feel safer with a visible garda presence."

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