The former Garda barracks in Bangor, known as Bingham Lodge, is to be made available to An tSean Bheairic Restoration Committee following representations to the Office of Public Works by Minister of State Michael Ring.
An undertaking was given previously that the property, which is dilapidated, would be given to the committee on a long lease to be restored and used for community and social purposes. However there was some confusion about whether the property was surplus to State requirements and there were also some title issues which delayed advancing the matter.
But Minister of State at the Department of Finance with special responsibility for the OPW Brian Hayes has told Minister Ring: “Following a reappraisal and bearing in mind the needs of An Garda Síochána in the area, it has been decided to proceed with the original proposal to make the property available to the committee as previously planned.”
According to Minister of State Ring there are still a few issues to be addressed and he has asked for those to be expedited to ensure no further delays.
