Galbally Garda Station taken off market and earmarked for voluntary housing

The ‘for sale’ sign was still up as this week’s paper went to press, but the Vale Star understands that the former Galbally Garda Station building has been taken off the market and is now to be earmarked for voluntary social housing, writes John Barrett.
The development comes on foot of an intervention by local councillor Eddie Ryan in an effort to retain the facility for community use. The building was destined to be sold at public auction on Thursday next, 16th February, with a number of interested parties eager to purchase the property.
Matters moved on, how-ever, as Cllr Ryan and a delegation from Galbally Voluntary Housing Association last week met with senior officials of Limerick City and County Council to discuss options open to the association. The councillor then made contact with the Office of Public Works and got confirmation that Galbally Garda Station has been withdrawn from auction, with the valuations office now engaged to put a value on the building.
Delighted that the former Garda station will now be held in local ownership, Cllr Eddie Ryan told the Vale Star, “This is a great result for Galbally and the surrounding area.” Mean-while, John Joe Fahey, the chairman of Galbally Voluntary Housing Asso-ciation, says that he is thrilled with the develop-ment. “Our plan is to create a double unit that would cater for two families in the building and we look forward to working with Eddie Ryan and all con-cerned in pursuing these aims. It’s great news for Galbally,” he added. It has been reported that the interior of the building is in good condition but will need to be repurposed to suit the needs of future inhabitants. (See further coverage inside).