Northern Ireland

Former police station opens its doors as new digital community hub

Causeway Coast and Glens mayor Steven Callaghan cuts the ribbon to open the Cushendall Innovation Centre alongside Grow the Glens directors Mary McAllister, Paddy McLaughlin, Eddie McGoldrick, Liam O’Hagan, Paul McAllister, Andrew McAllister and Neil McManus.
Causeway Coast and Glens mayor Steven Callaghan cuts the ribbon to open the Cushendall Innovation Centre alongside Grow the Glens directors Mary McAllister, Paddy McLaughlin, Eddie McGoldrick, Liam O’Hagan, Paul McAllister, Andrew McAllister and Neil McMa Causeway Coast and Glens mayor Steven Callaghan cuts the ribbon to open the Cushendall Innovation Centre alongside Grow the Glens directors Mary McAllister, Paddy McLaughlin, Eddie McGoldrick, Liam O’Hagan, Paul McAllister, Andrew McAllister and Neil McManus.
By Paul Ainsworth

A FORMER police station in Co Antrim which has been transformed into a digital hub has opened its doors to the community.

The hub, which provides space for remote working, is based at the former Cushendall police station, which closed in 2015.

Now the Cushendall Innovation Centre, work on transforming the building began earlier this year after it was purchased by the Grow the Glens organisation.

The group, led by Antrim senior hurler Neil McManus, has fitted the building with small office spaces and communal work areas.

The project was supported by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, which provided funding through the Covid Recovery Small Settlements Regeneration Programme in partnership with Stormont's Department for Communities, Department of Agriculture Environment & Rural Affairs, and Department for Infrastructure.

Causeway Coast and Glens deputy mayor Margaret-Anne McKillop said: “This new digital hub will enable residents to work locally, providing a much more flexible working arrangement. It will also attract businesses and employees from outside the area and brings a derelict building back into economic use.

Read more: Former police station bought by community organisation, plan for digital hub

“’I am very grateful to all the departments involved in providing this funding and of course, to Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council for its financial assistance.”

The former police station was the scene of the murder of RUC sergeant Joseph Campbell in 1977.

The 49-year-old Catholic father-of-eight was shot dead outside the station, and his family believe elements of the security forces colluded with now deceased UVF killer Robin Jackson in the attack.

An inquest into Mr Campbell's killing was held in 1977 and lasted one day.

A former RUC Special Branch officer, who has since died, was charged with Mr Campbell's murder but was later acquitted at trial.

In 2014, an investigation by the Police Ombudsman found the Special Branch was aware of a threat against Mr Campbell but failed to inform him. The probe also identified a series of investigative failings by police.

The north's attorney general ordered a fresh inquest into his death seven years ago, and preliminary hearings took place earlier this year.