Work on a new Garda headquarters for Galway on the east side of the city to replace the existing overcrowded station could begin early next year once a site for it is identified.
Senior gardaí in Galway are understood to be in favour of a move to the old Crown Control site in Mervue after efforts to have the existing Mill Street station extended were rejected.
However, before any move can be made, the Office of Public Works must advertise for a site as part of its obligations in locating a suitable location.
West Galway TD Noel Grealish (PD) said it was likely that the advertising procedure would be completed before the end of the year when the site would be known.
"I am confident that the new Garda station will be built by the end of next year and it will certainly relieve the overcrowding and cramped situation that currently exists at Mill Street," he said.
Mr Grealish and his party colleague, city councillor Declan McDonnell, met Minister for Justice Michael McDowell in Athlone yesterday to discuss the new station. "The money is there and once a site has been identified, the construction process can begin," Mr Grealish said. "This is priority number one with the OPW."
The developers of the Crown site have already met gardaí to outline the proposal for the new station which would incorporate the traffic corps, currently based in the Liosbán estate.
The plan would involve a sub-station in the city centre which would be run by a sergeant and a number of rank and file gardaí to maintain a presence there. The Crown site developers have applied for planning permission which includes the provision of a Garda station.
