Athlone councillors seek timeframe for decision on national Army headquarters

Athlone-area councillors have vowed to seek a timeframe from Tánaiste and Defence Minister Simon Harris for when a decision will be taken on the location of the proposed new headquarters for the Irish Army.

For more than three years now there has been speculation about Athlone's Custume Barracks being designated as the new national headquarters for the Army.

This arose from the Commission on the Defence Forces report, in February 2022, which recommended the creation of a 'centrally-located' headquarters to manage Army operations.

In recent months a letter was sent on behalf of the Athlone Moate Municipal District members to the Defence Minister's office on the issue.

The reply received, which was read out at the June monthly meeting of the local authority, simply stated that "no decision has been made" at this stage on where a new Army headquarters would be located.

Responding, a frustrated Cllr Frankie Keena said councillors were already well aware that no decision had been taken by the Government on this issue.

"I want to know when a decision on it will be taken, and what's happening at the moment in terms of making that decision," he said.

Cllr Paul Hogan agreed, saying a previous notification had suggested a decision on the headquarters location was "imminent" but this had not materialised.

"I'd be looking for a timeframe on when they hope to have a decision made on it. At the moment it seems to have taken a step back, rather than a step forward," he said.

It was agreed that the Municipal District would send another letter to the Tánaiste and Defence Minister asking for a timeframe to be outlined in relation to when the headquarters decision would be taken.

Local representatives have long been in favour of Athlone receiving an Army headquarters designation, arguing that such a move would provide a boost to the local economy and help secure the long-term future of Custume Barracks.