Boyle: Close empty Castlederg police station

Sinn Fein's Michaela Boyle is calling for the removal of Castlederg police station.

The Sinn Fein assemblywoman repeated calls from her party yesterday, for the now-empty police Station in Castlederg to be removed.

That's after it was revealed that £847,314 had been spent maintaining the structure.

The West Tyrone MLA says it's now time that the 8,514 sq. metre site was put to better use.

“Sinn Féin has long campaigned for the removal of this station. The retention of this militarised barracks does nothing to achieve civic, accountable and effective policing in Castlederg – instead it is merely just a massive drain on the public purse," Michaela Boyle told Q Radio news.

“As for the site, I can think of a thousand ways this site could be better utilised by the local community of Castlederg," she added.

She says she'll continue to challenge the Department of Justice and the PSNI on the issue.

“This figure revealed by the Minister of Justice is shocking and needs challenged at every level. 

"I will continue to work closely with our Sinn Féin team on the Policing Board to ensure this site is handed over for community use.”