Public Accounts Chair Slams Empty €600,000 Residence of Ex-Garda Chief

UPDATE: In a shocking revelation, the chair of the Public Accounts Committee, John Brady, has condemned the ongoing vacancy of the €600,000 residence previously occupied by former Garda Commissioner Drew Harris. The residence, known as Spa Lodge, has remained empty for over six months since Harris’s departure in September 2022.

The Office of Public Works (OPW) confirmed that Spa Lodge is one of eleven state-owned properties in the Phoenix Park lying idle. This alarming situation raises serious questions about the management of public resources, especially as some of these properties have been vacant for up to 25 years.

Brady expressed disbelief that a residence, which underwent significant upgrades costing €400,000 and an additional €212,000 for security enhancements, has not been utilized. “It defies belief that a property which has recently had such a substantial investment has been left vacant for six months and counting,” Brady stated.

The OPW reported to Brady that the eleven vacant properties require further upgrading or refurbishment before being deemed suitable for occupation. However, it remains unclear why Spa Lodge is unfit for habitation given its recent refurbishments.

The Public Accounts Committee has also revealed that Spa Lodge incurred annual rental costs of €21,000 during Harris’s term, raising concerns about who bore these costs, whether it was Harris himself or An Garda Síochána.

Brady did not hold back his criticism of the OPW’s management of state properties, deeming it “outrageous” that such a significant number of buildings remain unused. “This all demonstrates the OPW’s complete inability to effectively manage the State’s property portfolio,” he asserted, highlighting the chronic wastage of public funds.

Last week, the Irish Examiner reported findings from an OPW audit that showed an average occupancy rate of just 30% for 20 buildings outside Dublin and 45% for 47 properties in the city center.

The OPW has faced increasing scrutiny over its handling of publicly-owned buildings, with a special report last September revealing over €12 million spent on renting unoccupied office space in Dublin throughout 2024.

As this situation develops, all eyes are on the OPW and the Public Accounts Committee for further updates and accountability regarding the management of state properties. The urgent need for transparency and efficiency in public spending has never been more critical.