Army move not about saving money, Minister says

The abolition of the 4th Western Brigade is not about saving money, Minister for Defence Alan Shatter confirmed to the Westmeath Independent this week. The Minister's comments come as army families, and the wider town of Athlone, are still reeling from the shock of the announcement last Thursday by Junior Minister Paul Kehoe that the Defence Forces is to be reorganised from a three-brigade to a two brigade structure, with the loss of the 4th Western Brigade. While the Minister has committed to retaining 1,000 personnel at Custume Barracks, there is a fear that once the brigade status has been lost it will be unsustainable to retain such a large number of troops at the army barracks in Athlone in the long term, with fears units will be moved elsewhere in the country. On Monday Minister Shatter told the Westmeath Independent the reorganisation of the force was not about saving money, but rather it was about maximising capabilities. The announcement regarding the future of the 4th Western Brigade was made in the Dáil on Thursday afternoon last after the issue was raised by local TDs Robert Troy (FF) and James Bannon (FG). Junior Minister Paul Kehoe made the announcement as Minister Shatter had a prior engagement. And while Minister Shatter said this week that the announcement was "a good news day for Athlone" due to the retention of 1,000 personnel at Custume Barracks, the move has sparked much anger locally with Fianna Fáil's Cllr Aengus O'Rourke calling on Mayor Alan Shaw (FG) to step down from his role. At a special meeting of Athlone Town Council to discuss the issue on Monday evening, Cllr O'Rourke said: "Fine Gael lost the brigade, that is shameful; the people of Athlone should never forget this. Mayor, to be quite honest, you failed in your leadership role, you have only two weeks left to rule, and you should consider your position as Mayor given the severity of the situation, as an act of solidarity with those who have been affected by this decision." Local Fine Gael TD Nicky McFadden expressed her disappointment this week following last Thursday's announcement. "I am extremely disappointed with the decision to downgrade Custume Barracks Athlone. It is an issue I feel very strongly about and I had been working extremely hard to ensure that the Brigade status would be retained," Deputy McFadden said. Independent TD Denis Naughten said the decision was contrary to the recommendations of an independent report on the issue and expressed dismay at the announcement. The move has also been criticised by PDFORRA, the organisation representing soldiers, sailors and airmen and women, which has called on Minister Shatter to reconsider his decision.