Posted by Cllr Frankie Keena,
24th May 2012.
Custume Barracks downgrade: Proposal to downgrade Custume Barracks in Athlone is definitely on the agenda of Minister Alan Shatter and this Government. The plan is to move the specialist personnel covering such areas as bomb disposal, engineering corp, ordinance & medical corps, etc to Dublin & Cork. This news is just a huge blow to the moral amongst the troops.
The impact of up to 600 personnel leaving Athlone will have a massive blow to the economy of this town & surrounding district. Athlone has enjoyed the status of being the HQ for the 4th Brigade of the Western Command. I have received numerous calls from concerned people who have both a direct and indirect link to the Barracks.
People are worried that they might have to uproot and move to a different part of the country and also the business sector are very concerned on the effect this will have on the economic development of the town.
At this stage I have been told that the only person who can stop this from happening is the Taoiseach Enda Kenny as Minister Alan Shatter is determined to axe Athlone. Therefore I ask the question as to what is the position of our local TD Nicky McFadden on this matter? She has a direct line to Enda Kenny and I would hope that she uses it.
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