Kilcullen is centre of area Garda service for essential home deliveries

Kilcullen Garda Station is the control centre for managing a community help service in both Naas and Kildare Garda Districts during the Covid-19 situation, writes Brian Byrne.

They are providing assistance for those confined to their homes, by making deliveries of food or medicine.

A Mercedes Sprinter Van is based at the station, with four gardai assigned to the effort in shifts — Gda Jon Brien, Gda Sean O'Mahony from Athy, Sgt Gavin Dunphy from Kildare, and Gda Gary Coogan from Naas.

A dedicated phone number 086 8582822 is manned from 8am-8pm. Anybody restricted to their homes by virtue of age or vulnerability is welcome to use the service, which also has the advantage of keeping isolated people in touch with the community gardai. If there's any difficulty accessing that number, the 045 481212 main number of Kilcullen Garda Station can be called, as can Naas Garda Station 045 884300.

The van and crew will collect pre-ordered grocery or pharmacy items from relevant stores in the two districts and deliver them to homes of people who cannot get out themselves. The service only picks up orders ready for delivery — the gardai are NOT doing actual shopping for people.

"It is very important that when people call us they provide their Eircode," Sgt Tom O'Donoghue from Kilcullen says. "It makes it much easier for us to deliver."

Normal serious medical emergencies should still use the 999 number.

Beat the Virus: Stay At Home. 

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