A new garda station on Dublin’s O’Connell Street has officially opened after a renovation project undertaken by the Office of Public Works (OPW).

The station, which will open to the public from today (10 March), is located at 13A O’Connell Street, between the Spire and the Gresham Hotel.

It will have a public office for members of the public to report crimes, and to provide advice and support to victims of crime.

The Department of Justice said that the new station would ensure “a high-visibility policing presence” in an area that had significant tourist and commercial footfall.

Operation Citizen

It will also serve as the main location for gardaí assigned to Operation Citizen, a garda operation targeting anti-social behaviour and public order that started in October 2021.

Speaking ahead of the opening, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris (pictured) said: “The opening of the O’Connell Street garda station is one of a number of measures that an Garda Síochána has taken to re-assure all those that live, work or visit in and around the main street of our capital city that your local gardaí are here to keep you safe.”

The station is being opened by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Minister for Justice Simon Harris (pictured), and Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform Paschal Donohoe.

‘Reassure communities’

Minister Harris said that he was confident that the station would be a valuable base for gardaí stationed there to foster stronger relationships with the local community – including business owners.

“The location of this new garda station on Dublin’s main thoroughfare will increase the visibility of gardaí in the city centre, and help to both deter crime and reassure communities,” he added.

The O’Connell Street station will serve the DMR North Central Garda Division, which includes almost 650 members of the force, supported by a further 65 staff.

The division also includes the Bridewell, Fitzgibbon Street, and Store Street districts.