Update on Portlaoise Garda station and more Gardaí on Laois beats - Chief Superintendent

Laois Offaly Division's Chief Superintendent says the new headquarters at Portlaoise Garda Station is on track, and says more Gardaí are going on the beat in Laois towns with increased visibility a priority.

The multi million new Portlaoise Garda station is under reconstruction to become a modern divisional headquarters.

Chief Supt Anthony Lonergan says it is going well, and hopes for it to be finished next year.

“The development of the Garda station is progressing well, it’s underway and we’re looking forward to the completion date when we can move back in to the main area of Portlaoise.

“The new facilities will no doubt enhance the policing capacity and capabilities of the Laois Offaly Garda Division.

“We don’t have specific dates and I don’t want to put anyone under pressure but I’m looking forward to 2027, I think that will be a fair estimate of when we’ll be in.

“A public office remains there because we felt that was important for the continuity of the public. They can come in, meet ourselves and address any issues they have there,” Chief Supt Lonergan said.

Image of the new Portlaoise Garda Station.

While supporting staff have been moved to various offices around the division, such as the MDA business centre in Mountmellick, the Chief Super said that “maintenance of adequate resources in the town of Portlaoise is paramount and that has been maintained”.

He said however that he cannot disclose the price of the construction contract.

The Department of Justice put the cost at €51 million last year but the OPW refused to confirm the cost.

Chief Super Lonergan said there are no particular crime issues in the division at present, but did comment on E scooters.

“My staff are engaging well with communities. There will always be policing issues and we identify them on a daily basis, local issues and concerns for communities and we will do our best to engage with them.

He was asked about the continued prevalence of dangerous driving by Electric scooter users, which by new laws can have only one person on board, who must be aged over 16, and follow the same rules of the road as cyclists.

“There are scooters on roads, these scooters certainly form part of our daily briefings and our members are very much aware of the requirements and legislation.

“People who are found in breach of that will be dealt with through the courts if that is warranted.

“I’d advise people who use them to abide by the law. You must always consider the impacts of your behaviour on others,” Chief Super Lonergan said.

He said more Gardaí are going out on the beat as a policy.

“We are trying to be more proactive and hopefully you will have seen an increase in visibility around the town centres.

“That’s part of our policing initiative and plans for 2026. We are going to try increase visibility across the county and we’d ask for community support around that,” he said.

He spoke about the new public policing meetings about to start in Laois between groups and Gardaí.

“One of the developments for 2026 is the new Local Community Safety Partnerships.

“Policing is not all about enforcement. It’s about working together collaboratively, and all the different agencies working together to improve community safety and resilience. We look forward to that.”

He confirmed that one meeting a year will be open to the public, with a meeting held every three months.

“Feedback from the public will be welcomed,” he said.

Read next: Lucky Laois strikes again with another Lotto win

The Laois Offaly Garda Chief Super said that the public representatives and chairs of the LCSP committees will soon be announced, with an official launch to be held, to inform the public how to send queries to the LCSP meetings.

He gave an update on Laois policing and crime, speaking to the Leinster Express / Laois Live at the launch of the 2026 Laois  / Offaly Garda Youth Awards.  See photos and report of the launch and how to nominate winners here.