North Tipp site intended for training Gardaí is unused
A site in North Tipperary intended to train Gardaí in driving skills is unsused
Nwes that Gardaí do not receive off-road or pursuit driving training alarmed the public this week after a tragic accident on the M9 motorway last weekend.
A 220-acre site located near Roscrea and Templemore at Clonmore, which was purchased by the Government in 2006 for the expansion of the Garda Training College to facilitate driving and firearms training remains unused.
Last month the Minister for Justice confirmed there are no plans to develop the land for this purpose or to expand the Garda training college in Templemore.
The land was purchased for €5.5 million by the Office of Public Works and has since been leased to local farmers, and for a brief period was used for tactical training purposes and off road driving.
Deputy Alan Kelly said he found the news “disappointing” and reiterated the potential for the site on national radio this week.
“It’s very disappointing that the Government has confirmed to me, through Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan, that it has no plans to develop lands that were bought in Dromard, Clonmore for the Garda College at a cost of €5.5 million over two decades ago”, the Tipperary Labour TD said last month.
“These lands were bought with a view to expanding the college and be used for Garda driver training, firearms training and continuous development of Gardai as well as other training activities.
“Given that we know how much we need to expand the college to meet recruitment and the continuous development of Garda training in modern times, I think this decision is worrying and shows a lack of long term planning”.
The recommendations of a Garda Training Review Group, which focuses on the training college are due to be made to the Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan at the end of the summer.
“This review has the potential to be seismic for the Garda College and Templemore and surrounds who are so dependent on it” Deputy Kelly said.