LATEST: Doubts raised over the issuing of Templemore Garda College pool community licences

Tipperary TD Jackie Cahill has said today some issues remain in relation to the licencing system at the Templemore Garda College pool.

He said the school group’s access is slowly being resolved, but the “crux of the issue” is still there.

“It is up to the Garda authorities in the Templemore Garda College to forward this licence to the OPW for approval. Until the crux of the issue is resolved, the ‘We Just Want To Swim’ campaign will continue, and I will continue to fully support the community in this regard.

“I will not accept the continued delays with this application, as it is far too important to the local community and the hundreds of local children who require these vital water safety lessons that Mark Kiely wishes to offer the local community,” said Mr Cahill

In relation to the schools, Deputy Cahill said he had been told by the OPW this morning that the Garda College are to work on the licence applications in the next week.

“I am pleased to receive confirmation from the OPW that they are expecting licences to be sent to them next week that will again permit local schools in the Templemore area access to the swimming pool facilities for vital water safety and swimming courses.

“Last week, I spoke with the OPW Minister, Patrick O’Donovan, where he confirmed to me that no licences had been received by his Department at that point. I then raised this with An Garda Síochána authorities, as they had missed their promised deadline of December 1 for access back to the pool for local schools,” said Mr Cahill.

Mr Cahill said he has written to the Garda commissioner calling on him to intervene to allow the Friday night children's lessons to go ahead.

“I have written directly to the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána on this matter and asked for his direct intervention. Officials from both the OPW and the Department of Justice continue to inform me that the issuing of the licence for the community group, as opposed to the licences for the schools, is a matter for An Garda Síochána directly.

“As such, I am expecting Commissioner Drew Harris to intervene and force some common sense action in this matter so that local children can get back to swimming in the pool, as has been the case for many generations of local children”, Mr Cahill concluded.

Templemore campaign claims Garda College has gone back on their word

Shannon Sweeney gives an update from Templemore where the swimming pool saga continues

THE CRUX

The We Just Want to Swim-Templemore campaign was set up to restore the children's swimming lessons which have been at the college since 1965.

The introduction of a licencing system in 2017 and the pool's closure during the pandemic meant that lessons were discontinued.

Once the pool reopened, the community were informed the new swimming coach would need a licence.

However, the coach's application was refused in the summer of 2022.

So, while schools have had some access prior to this year's closure, the Friday night lessons have remained closed.

In a series of social media posts today the campaign say they remain sceptical about today's announcement from the gardaí .