Posted by Cllr Aengus O'Rourke 18/07/2012
A short 4 weeks ago Alan Shatter came to Athlone in a cloak of secrecy, following that visit it was clear that the 4th Western Brigade was to be disbanded. On Monday he came again to Athlone and true to form, like the Grim Reaper, soon after we learn that up to 200 soldiers will be relocated as a result of changes to some units following the recent downgrading.
So the story spun to the media at the time of a core compliment of 1000 soldiers being retained will already be broken come November when for example the Signals Corp, all 67 of them are relocated along with others.
The arrogance and disregard this Minister and Fine Gael are showing for Defence Forces personnel is shocking. I am 4 weeks looking for a meeting with Enda Kenny and Eamonn Gilmore to discuss the downgrading issue and still they refuse to meet the Council Delegation that I organised.
I stand over my prediction from the start, we have a job on our hands to keep Custume Barracks open while Fine Gael are in Government. The rot has started, we all need to be as vocal as possible on this issue and reject moves to further diminish the numbers and morale in our barracks.
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