The Dáil has heard calls for Athlone to be considered as the location for the new army headquarters. A report by the Commission on the Defence Forces in 2022 recommended the development of a new HQ for the army. €17.65 million is to be invested in the Defence Forces’ Army Ranger Wing Headquarters in the Curragh, Co Kildare.
The government say this is part of the €1.7 billion in the National Development Plan for Defence. Custume Barracks was built in 1691 and currently hosts three units and three reserve units. Local Fianna Fáil TD, Martin Daly feels Athlone would be the perfect location:
Advertisement
Responding, Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee says no decision has yet been made:
