Public office reopens at Eden Garda Station

Edenderry garda station’s new public office opened to the public last Monday (May 13) and the remainder of works at the building are due to be completed by June 21.

Speaking to the Offaly Independent this week a spokesperson for the Office of Public Works (OPW) said works to the station that was damaged by fire on Hallowe’en night in 2011 are “progressing well”.

Reacting to this week’s news Edenderry councillor Declan Leddin welcomed the work, particularly the newly opened public office.

“The public office provides a very valuable service to our local community and since the senseless act of arson which caused its closure the public have been forced to transact private and personal business in a small confined room to the rear of the station.”

Cllr Leddin also gave credit to gardai working out of the station. “Our local gardai have had to endure the same conditions and they have to their credit provided an excellent service to our community in very difficult circumstances,” he said, adding that the new station will add to Edenderry’s ability to attract extra points in future Tidy Towns competitions.

The works were also welcomed this week by Fine Gael TD Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, who said many Edenderry residents had expressed their concerns to her that Edenderry did not have a fully functional station.

“It’s important for the town and the north Offaly region to have a Garda station that is fit for purpose and I am confident that this situation once completed will enhance the service the gardai provide in the area,” she said.