Works on a new garda station on O'Connell Street have not started despite promises that work would start by the end of summer.
The proposed facility, at 13A Upper O'Connell Street, was set to be the hub for Operation Citizen and Operation Spire which aim to tackle anti social behaviour in the capital. Back in April, Justice Minister Helen McEntee reportedly told her Fine Gael colleagues the station would be delivered in the "coming months".
Dublin Live understands the mooted deadline was August 31 with the planning for the facility granted on June 29. However, nearly three weeks have passed and no works have commenced on the site.
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Councillor Ray McAdam says the failure to deliver the station on time comes as garda presence on city centre streets - a key component of Operation Citizen - has "lessened". He told Dublin Live: "I don't understand why there has been no movement on fitting out the office for a new station - a base for Operation Citizen, that is what it was designed to do.
"Given that the impact of Operation Citizen seems to have lessened over the summer months, it is imperative that we get this station open and that Dubliners see a much more visible garda presence across the heart of our city centre."
At a recent Joint Policing Committee meeting, Assistant Commissioner of the Dublin Metropolitan Region Angela Willis said she is "committed" to the garda station which won't be delivered until "next year". At the same meeting, the Assistant Commissioner said she was "disappointed" by Cllr McAdam's comments on Operation Citizen.
She said: "I am a bit disappointed to hear that being said because I know there are significant resources on a daily basis being assigned to Operation Citizen. I see the visibility myself in the city centre so I suppose I need to understand a bit more why it is perceived that there is a lesser impact."
The Fine Gael Councillor added that he has had representations from constituents about open drug use on the street at all times of the day.
A spokesman for the gardai said the Office of Public Works, which manages the Garda Estate, "have lodged planning in respect of this development earlier this year".
A spokeswoman for the OPW said it is "hoped" the station will be delivered in the first quarter of next year. She said: "The works to 13a O’Connell Street have been designed, and the layouts agreed with An Garda Siochana.
"The works have been costed but the start date is dependent on the lead in times for some of the specialist plant equipment to be provided. The works are expected to take 12-16 weeks."
She added: "These works are currently on programme. It is hoped that, subject to lead times of the specialist plant equipment, the works will be completed during Quarter 1 2023."
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