Work underway on new Portlaoise Defence Forces facility

Work is underway on a new Defence Forces facility in Portlaoise.

The building work is continuing at the site which borders the Midlands Prison and the entrance to the Fieldbrook Estate off the Dublin Road.   

A spokesperson for the Office of Public Works(OPW) said work on the building is expected to be completed early next year.  

“Works have commenced on the building of a new Defence Forces Facility at the Midlands Prison to replace the existing building occupied by the Defence Forces at the rear of the current Garda station, which will be demolished during the refurbishment of the Garda station. 

Flynn Construction Ltd. has been appointed as the main contractor on this project to carry out these works at the Midlands Prison. Work commenced on site on 8th May 2023 and the construction of the new facility is expected to be completed in early Q1 2024,” the spokesperson said. 

“As the contractor has now commenced on site, it is not possible to give a budget figure due to commercial sensitivity until after the conclusion of the works and a final account is signed off,” the spokesperson added.

It’s understood the facility includes a search unit where members of the Defence Forces are checked before they begin duty at Portlaoise Prison. 

A spokesperson for the Defence Forces said: “The new building is required for operational and security reasons and therefore it would not be appropriate to comment further.”