Retiring Supt slams 'medieval' working conditions at Navan Garda station
PAUL MURPHY
The “medieval conditions” that Gardai in Navan are forced to work in have been slammed by Superintendent Michael Devine who has laid bare the desperate need for a purpose built divisional headquarters, as he prepares to retire next month.
In an interview with the Meath Chronicle, Devine - who has served as Supt in Navan for 13 years - spoke out about how Gardai are being impeded by the lack of proper facilities in a building that is “just not fit for purpose” and says any government money should be put towards acquiring a site and constructing a new building, instead of extending the station at Abbey Road.
The force in Navan had to work in a building that was an old schoolhouse and there were times when it was difficult for a member of the public making a complaint to be facilitated in any area in the station where they could speak to a Garda in private, he said.
“You go right across the board in the county and none of them [stations] are fit for purpose. That’s something I have highlighted since I’ve come here to try and get something done but nothing has happened. I now hear some overtures about money being made available but I think the time has come for a new site. Money becoming available is no use unless it’s for a new site for a building that is going to contain all that is required”.
Supt Devine (inset) blasted the cramped public office which he said is “totally unsuitable for doing anything” and told how there is only one interview room in the whole divisional headquarters station.
“The structure as it stands is just not suitable so the solution is to pick a new site, build a new station.”