Final Decision Made On Longford Barracks

The Minister met with Fianna Fáil Councillors representing Longford Town and then with Cllr Seamus Farrell Mayor of Longford County and Cllr James Keogh Mayor of Longford Town.

Minister O'Dea listened carefully to the concerns expressed by all Councillors and sought to assure them that the closure of the barracks would not have the detrimental impact on the economy in Longford as feared locally.

Both Mayors thanked the Minister for the meeting and acknowledged that the closure would be proceeding.

Minister O'Dea stated: "I understand the sadness the news of this closure has caused in Longford. The withdrawal of the British Army deployments coupled with reduced paramilitary activity following the Good Friday Agreement has removed the defence and security rationale for having seven barracks/posts, including Connolly barracks, in the border region. The consolidation plan will see the number of Border military posts reduced to three."

"The consolidation plan has been put together in close consultation and cooperation with the Defence Forces General Staff. It ensures that there will be no job losses and provides an overall package to alleviate any difficulties that local Defence Force members or civilian employees might experience. It will serve the needs of the Defence Forces into the future. The 2000 White paper on Defence acknowledged that the spread of barracks gave rise to inefficiencies in manning and organisation."

"There has been some speculation as to the future of Connolly Barracks since the Good Friday Agreement. The buoyant financial and economic environment that prevailed back in 2005 enabled me to retain the existing number of military installations, including Connolly Barracks. The serious economic situation we now face and the need to safeguard the public finances makes it impossible to do so now. In addition the consolidation of military formations is an important element in the modernisation of our Defence Forces," he concluded.