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From today's Connacht Sentinel
Soldiers fear plan to move 160 of them to Athlone
February 8, 2011 - 7:30am
Minister denies knowledge of downgrading of Renmore barracks
BY CIARAN TIERNEY
Minister for Defence Éamon Ó Cuív yesterday denied having any knowledge of plans to downgrade the army barracks in Renmore following reports that over 160 city-based soldiers are set to be redeployed to Athlone.
Soldiers are understood to have concerns that only 69 of the 234 troops currently stationed at Dun Ui Mhaoiliosa will be retained at the Galway facility after they were briefed about a proposed re-organisation of the Irish Army last week, and again yesterday morning.
The Connacht Sentinel understands that soldiers were briefed about proposals to transfer a majority of those stationed in Renmore to Athlone at two meetings last Wednesday afternoon and yesterday morning.
Following the meetings at Renmore Barracks, soldiers expressed fears that only 69 members of the Exercise Company would be retained in Galway with all others set to be moved to Athlone.
Their fears were highlighted by Galway West election candidate Thomas Welby (Independent) who said he had met concerned members of the defence forces while canvassing at the weekend who feared they would have to commute to the Midlands.
Yesterday, Minister Ó Cuív said that plans for the re-organisation of the Irish Army were still only at a preliminary stage and his Department had no knowledge of plans to move the vast majority of Renmore-based soldiers to Athlone.
“I have asked the Department of Defence to find out what was said at the meeting in Renmore last week,” said Minister Ó Cuív. “I was made aware of this last Friday and people within my Department seem to be very, very surprised about any talk of a downgrading.
Minister Ó Cuív said there were long-term plans for the reorganisation of the defence forces, but these were only at a preliminary stage.
“Whatever plans are formulated are not likely to be before my Department for a number of months yet,” he added. “This will be a long process and the Minister has to approve it. I want to establish the facts in this case. At the Department level, officials have been very taken aback that there should be such a proposal.”
Soldiers fear plan to move 160 of them to Athlone
February 8, 2011 - 7:30am
Minister denies knowledge of downgrading of Renmore barracks
BY CIARAN TIERNEY
Minister for Defence Éamon Ó Cuív yesterday denied having any knowledge of plans to downgrade the army barracks in Renmore following reports that over 160 city-based soldiers are set to be redeployed to Athlone.
Soldiers are understood to have concerns that only 69 of the 234 troops currently stationed at Dun Ui Mhaoiliosa will be retained at the Galway facility after they were briefed about a proposed re-organisation of the Irish Army last week, and again yesterday morning.
The Connacht Sentinel understands that soldiers were briefed about proposals to transfer a majority of those stationed in Renmore to Athlone at two meetings last Wednesday afternoon and yesterday morning.
Following the meetings at Renmore Barracks, soldiers expressed fears that only 69 members of the Exercise Company would be retained in Galway with all others set to be moved to Athlone.
Their fears were highlighted by Galway West election candidate Thomas Welby (Independent) who said he had met concerned members of the defence forces while canvassing at the weekend who feared they would have to commute to the Midlands.
Yesterday, Minister Ó Cuív said that plans for the re-organisation of the Irish Army were still only at a preliminary stage and his Department had no knowledge of plans to move the vast majority of Renmore-based soldiers to Athlone.
“I have asked the Department of Defence to find out what was said at the meeting in Renmore last week,” said Minister Ó Cuív. “I was made aware of this last Friday and people within my Department seem to be very, very surprised about any talk of a downgrading.
Minister Ó Cuív said there were long-term plans for the reorganisation of the defence forces, but these were only at a preliminary stage.
“Whatever plans are formulated are not likely to be before my Department for a number of months yet,” he added. “This will be a long process and the Minister has to approve it. I want to establish the facts in this case. At the Department level, officials have been very taken aback that there should be such a proposal.”
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