Appeal for more opening hours at Laois garda stations
Portarlington Garda Station opens for only four hours a day and often has to close during those hours, in the county's second largest town
AN APPEAL has been made for longer opening hours at Laois garda stations, amid serious concern over part-time opening in most stations across the county.
Latest figures show that eight of the county’s 12 garda stations are open for only one hour each day.
Portlaoise is the only garda station open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Other large towns such as Mountmellick and Portarlington are open for only four hours a day and often have to close during those hours if gardaí on duty are called out.
Despite being the second largest town in the county, the doors of Portarlington Garda Station are often locked when gardaí have to attend an incident. There is a similar problem in Mountmellick, where gardaí cover a huge rural area as well as the busy town.
Laois TD Seán Fleming has requested a review of the extremely limited opening hours in local garda stations. In a statement, he said: ‘‘This is a major inconvenience to the general public and this service must be improved.
‘‘I have asked that this matter be reviewed to ensure there is guaranteed increased opening times for garda stations throughout the county. This matter must be given priority.’’
Current figures show the following opening hours in stations around the county, but all are ‘subject to manpower availability:’ Mountmellick and Portarlington, noon to 2pm and 7-9pm; Mountrath, 10-11am; Stradbally, 11am to noon; Clonaslee, 5-6pm; Abbeyleix, 9am to 6pm, due to be extended to 24 hours this year on a date to be confirmed; Durrow, noon to 1pm; Rathdowney, 2-3pm; Ballylinan, 4-5pm; Arles, 5.30-6.30pm; and Borris-in-Ossory, 4-5pm.
Garda stations with locked front doors have long been a source of frustration and concern, particularly in larger towns. Apart from lacking a garda presence that provides a sense of security, residents regularly have to travel to Portlaoise to get documents signed.
Portarlington Community Development Association (PCDA) has sought a meeting with the garda superintendent in Portlaoise to discuss concerns about limited garda availability in an area with only a part-time station, despite being the third largest town in the entire Laois-Offaly division.
Gardaí in Portarlington cover not only the busy town but also an extensive area stretching as far as Mountmellick and sometimes Rosenallis and Clonaslee.
Meanwhile, deputy Fleming confirmed that the date for the opening of the extended and upgraded Laois-Offaly Garda Divisional Headquarters in Portlaoise as the first half of 2027, with works expected to be largely completed that March.
An official response to a parliamentary question submitted by deputy Fleming stated: ‘'The main contractor started work on site in November 2024 and the expected construction period is 28 months, with substantial completion expected in Q1 2027 and the end – user installation, furniture, IT and occupation ‒ expected in Q2 2027.’'
An office at the front of the former station on the Abbeyleix Road, Portlaoise will continue to open to the public during the construction phase, while most gardaí have transferred to the Grattan Business Centre on the Dublin Road.
Upgraded custody facilities in Abbeyleix Garda Station are also being used while the construction works are ongoing. The new divisional headquarters will serve a population of about 200,000.
