Members of the Defence Forces marching in Athlone earlier this year during the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the handover of Custume Barracks by British forces. (Photo: Óglaigh na hÉireann - Flickr)

Naughten calls for new Army HQ to be established in Athlone

Adrian Cusack

Published: Mon 20 Jun 2022, 1:49 PM

Last updated: Mon 20 Jun 2022, 2:20 PM

Local TD Denis Naughten has urged the Government to establish Custume Barracks in Athlone as the location for a proposed new national headquarters of the Irish Army.

Deputy Naughten said Athlone would be "the perfect location for this key command within the Defence Forces".

Earlier this year, the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces recommended that a headquarters be established to manage Army operations nationally.

Crucially, from an Athlone perspective, the Commission felt the Army headquarters should be in a "central" geographical location.

Deputy Naughten said situating the Army headquarters in Athlone would help mitigate the "hurt" that was felt when the town lost its brigade headquarters status during a restructuring of the Defence Forces in 2012.

"Many people felt very hurt that Athlone lost its Brigade status in the past and establishing the newly proposed army headquarters at Custume Barracks would go some way to addressing it," said the local TD.

Last week, in a written Dáil question to Defence Minister Simon Coveney, he asked the Minister to "consider Custume Barracks, Athlone as the location for the proposed Army headquarters as recommended in the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces."

The reply from Minister Coveney said the Government was preparing "a high-level action plan" in respect of the Commission's recommendations, and that this should be ready in the coming weeks.

"The intent is that following relevant consideration, and before the summer recess, I will revert to Government with a proposed response to the Commission's recommendations and a high-level action plan," said Minister Coveney.

The Fine Gael Minister declined to comment specifically on Athlone as the Army headquarters location.

"One of the report's recommendations is that the structure of the Army be reviewed and, in that context, the disposition of Units across the Defence Forces may be considered," said the Minister.

"As (Deputy Naughten) will appreciate, it would be inappropriate for me to engage in speculative discussion on this matter prior to completion of the ongoing process, Government approval of any proposed plan of action, and completion of any subsequent reviews that may ensue."