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Press Release 29th October 2010.

Minister Killeen visits Columb Barracks in Mullingar

The Minister for Defence, Mr Tony Killeen TD, today (Friday 29th October) paid his first official visit to Columb Barracks in Mullingar.

On arrival at Columb Barracks, the Minister was greeted by the Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Sean McCann, General Officer Commanding the Western Brigade Brigadier General Gerry Hegarty and the Officer Commanding the Barracks, Lt Col Arthur Armstrong .

Minister Killeen reviewed a Guard of Honour of members of the 4th Field Artillery Regiment and was then briefed by senior military personnel and shown around the facilities at the Barracks. The Minister met members of the 4th Regiment which has established itself as the premier shooting unit within the Irish Defence Forces, winning the Falling Plates team-shooting event almost every year since 2002. The personnel at Columb Barracks make an important and positive contribution to the tasks performed by the Western Brigade. The Regiment has a current strength of 161 personnel.

Speaking during the visit the Minister said “The role of the Defence Forces in the security of strategic installations, cash-in-transit duties, prison and prisoner security and aid to the civil authorities is very important to the safety of our citizens. In 52 years of peacekeeping in some of the most hostile regions of the world, the Defence Forces have saved countless lives and made a significant contribution to international peace and security.”
Columb Barracks stands on land which was leased from the Earl of Granard. Built in 1815, it was named Wellington Barracks after the British Field Marshall and Prime Minister born near Trim in County Meath. In January 1819 the 78th Highlanders (The Ross Shire Buffs) became the first British unit to occupy the barracks. In 1943 the 4th Field Artillery Regiment was formed from the 2nd Artillery Battalion under the command of Comdt J Nolan, and occupied Columb Bks, Mullingar. The Regiment has a current strength of 161 personnel.

Recently, the Barracks and the Unit were the subject of a piece on RTE’s Nationwide programme which highlighted the unique integration of the unit within the town of Mullingar.


ENDS

For further information please contact: Derval Monahan Press Adviser to Minister Killeen, Department of Defence, on Mobile + 353876781608 or Department of Defence Press Office (01) 804 2108 or Press Office Mobile +365387234 0397.

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