The former Garda Station in Ashford and the former Bank of Ireland premises in Carnew is to be transferred to Wicklow County Council in order to allow both buildings to used by their respective local communities.
Wicklow County Council have announced that they have submitted applications under the Town and Village Enhancement Scheme for funding of €400,000 in order to acquire both premises in order to allow them both to be developed for local community use.
Wicklow Sinn Féin TD, John Brady, who has been involved in long running campaigns to have both premises transferred to public use has welcomed the news.
“The securing of these two buildings would represent a huge boost to the local communities in Ashford and Carnew,” he said.
“The former Garda station has been unused for 20 years since it was extensively damaged in a fire in 2003, but this new initiative offers the opportunity of turning it into a Community Centre.
“Having heard that the OPW was set to dispose of the property I contacted the Minister responsible for the OPW and asked that the property be transferred to the Council at the earliest opportunity.”
