Fianna Fail is calling for a new Garda Station to be developed in Sligo.

TD Marc MacSharry urged the government to include the development on the National Development Plan (NDP).

He also described the working conditions at the current building as "unsafe".

Mr MacSharry said: "The situation at Sligo Garda Station is completely unacceptable. It's a divisional headquarters with around 140 Gardaí and an Assistant Commissioner, yet there is not even drinking water available on the premises.

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"Gardaí became so frustrated with the situation that members of the GRA refused to enter the building on the 20th November last year. These are people who put their lives on the line for the citizens of this country every day. The very least they deserve is a basic standard of working conditions.

"The Department of Justice and Minister have been aware for some time of the unsafe and unworkable conditions at the station. An independent survey of the building highlighted fire safety issues and well as 'rodent invasions', an antiquated heating system, "third-world" toilet facilities and cells which had no washing facilities and inadequate ventilation. In fact the cells cannot be used and people who have been detained by officers have to be driven 15 miles away to Ballymote Garda Station.

"Any attempt to push it down the line will not be tolerated and will further expose the government's lip service and lack of appetite for rebuilding rural Ireland."

(CD/LM)