Sale of three vacated Border PSNI stations to go ahead

Decision relates to Castlederg, Aughnacloy stations in Tyrone and Warrenpoint in Down

The sale of three disused Border police stations which had been delayed because of "uncertainty" around Brexit is to proceed.

The "changing circumstances" of Brexit, particularly in regard to the Border, meant it could now go ahead following an operational review, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said on Tuesday.

The decision relates to Castlederg and Aughnacloy police stations in Co Tyrone and Warrenpoint in Co Down.

None of the three stations is operational.

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Assistant Chief Constable Bobby Singleton said police "regularly assess our resources to ensure we are equipped as well as possible to keep people safe".

Disposal paused

The three stations had previously been considered for sale. But “in 2018, because of the uncertainty around EU exit, we looked at that decision and decided to pause their disposal. That decision has been kept under review and with the changing circumstances of EU exit, particularly in relation to . . . [Border] arrangements, an operational review has recommended that the disposal of Castlederg, Aughnacloy and Warrenpoint stations can now recommence,” he said.

"On 18th August we wrote to the Northern Ireland Policing Board in their role as the owner of the police estate and in approving these stations for disposal to update them on this development."

It is understood the decision is unrelated to the recent review of policing in south Armagh, which recommended the closure of Crossmaglen police station.

Freya McClements

Freya McClements

Freya McClements is Northern Editor of The Irish Times