Garda cell which never housed a single prisoner

BALLYHEANE Garda Station, which closed in the early 1960s, was unique in one respect: it had a cell which was never used for a prisoner from the day it opened to the day it closed.

On the day of the final inspection in the barracks, the cell looked spick and span. The blankets, never used, were laundered for packing and removal; the handcuffs, baton and other equipment, also never used, were dusted and polished.

Sergeant Frank Monaghan and Garda Frank Johnston, two dedicated members of An Garda Síochána, made sure everything was in order before the barracks finally closed.

Garda John Stewart, Castle Street, was also stationed in Ballyheane, husband of Duxie Mitchell, a woman steeped in the business and sporting history of Castlebar.

Councillor Michael Fadden, Ballyheane, felt it a shame the barracks was being closed, another blow for small villages in the west of Ireland.

There were other protests as well but the cold hand of bureaucracy won, the civil servants had their way and the garda barracks closed.

 

* Story from Johnny Mee's Ould Stock column