Simon Harris, Minister of State with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW) today (12 June 2015) officially handed over the keys of the former Garda Station in Ballycastle for community use.

Speaking at the handover today, the Minister said, "I’m pleased to be here in County Mayo today, to hand over a former Garda Station to the local community. Since my predecessor's announcement of OPW’s disposal policy in 2013, sixteen former stations have been handed over to communities the length and breadth of the country. In fact, two other former stations in Mayo - Mulranny and Tourmakeady are included in this group and I have no doubt that Ballycastle Development Group will be as enthusiastic with their new enterprise as these groups have been".

Minister Harris concluded by wishing the community well "I know the Ballycastle Development Group has excellent plans for this building for the benefit of the residents and communities in Ballycastle and surrounding areas. As the Group has been in existence for over 20 years, local enterprises will receive the benefit of the support and advice from the Group. I wish the Ballycastle Development Group well with their plans and I encourage other communities to follow their lead.”

-Ends-

For further information or if you wish to interview Minister Harris please contact Colette Davis, OPW Press Officer at 087 947 5552 or colette.davis@opw.ie

Note to Editors:

Ballycastle Development Company has been in existence for over 20 years and was set up initially with the objective of developing the social and economic aspects of the Ballycastle/Belderrig area of Co. Mayo.

They are involved in 3 categories of work i.e. a) village/countryside enhancement work, b) assistance to community groups and c) upkeep and development of community property.

The Development Company's objective is to establish or support initiatives directed towards the generation or enterprises for the benefit and welfare of communities at Ballycastle and surrounding areas.

The following 17 stations have been assigned to local community groups with a further 4 proposals under consideration.

1. Ballinskelligs, Co. Kerry - Coiste Forbartha na Sceilge
2. Ballycastle, Co. Mayo - Ballycastle Development Company
3. Ballymote, Co. Sligo - Ballymote Community Enterprises Limited
4. Beaufort, Co. Kerry - Beaufort Community Council
5. Castletownshend, Co. Cork - Castlehaven Community Association
6. Cliffony, Co. Sligo - Cliffoney Community Development Group
7. Cootehall, Co. Roscommon - Cootehall Community Development Group Ltd.
8. Dromahair, Co. Leitrim - Dromahair Community Group
9. Kilgarvan, Co. Kerry - Kilgarvan Tidy Towns Committee
10. Mulranny, Co. Mayo - Mulranny Community Futures
11. Tourmakeady, Co. Mayo - Coiste Cultur Teanga and Forbartha Thuar Mhic Eadaigh
12. Bunbeg, Co. Donegal - Gweedore Community Council
13. Donard, Co. Wicklow - Glen of Imaal Wicklow (Red Cross) Mountain Rescue Team
14. Rush, Co. Dublin - Rush Musical Society and Rush Tidy Towns
15. Doonbeg, Co. Clare - Doonbeg Community Development Ltd.
16. Ballymoe, Co. Galway - Ballymoe Community Development
17. Kilmeedy, Co. Limerick - Kilmeady Community Development Group