Dún Uí Neill re-opening ruled out

Even if a no deal Brexit materialises there are no plans to re-open the army barracks in Cavan or any other border location Seanad Éireann heard this morning.

Speaking in the upper chamber of the Oireachtas the Minister of State for European Affairs, Helen McEntee, said: “It remains the government view that the best way to protect the Good Friday Agreement is to avoid a hard border, it's for the withdrawal agreement, including the Backstop which is so important in particular when we talk about our border or the reintroduction of the infrastructure to be ratified.”

The issue was Senator Diarmuid Wilson who called on the Minister with Responsibility for Defence, Paul Kehoe, to make a statement on plans for the former Dún Uí Neill Army Barracks in Cavan town.

Senator Wilson said that when the facility was closed in March 2012 it was the only purpose built army barracks in the country. The long history of the military installation in Cavan town stretches back to the 1700s.

The Fianna Fail representative said the barrack closure was a “mistake” and given the immanence of Brexit and a new border it should be re examined: “In years since there has been an increase in lawless activity in border area. There are fear it will escalate in the event of a no deal Brexit.”

Senator Wilson said it beggared belief that Department officials were looking at warehouses to accommodate troops when a purpose built, modern army barracks lies idle “for the most part”.

“When opened Dún Uí Neill Army Barracks accommodated 200 soldiers and equipment, including a helicopter. With the Department of Defence in Cavan looking for temporary accommodation, why are they not deciding to reopen this State of the Art facility?” Senator Wilson asked.

In her reply Minister McEntee said the 2011 Government decision to close was a means of consolidating infrastructure. The Minister said the government will continues to engage in forward planning for Brexit, but confirmed there are no plans to re-open army barracks “in Cavan or any other border location”.

In terms of deployment of military personnel the minister pointed out the the primary responsibility for the internal security of the state rests with the minister for Justice and An Garda Síochána. She pointed out that the protection of the border is under the remit of An Garda Síochána An while Revenue Commissioners have also responsibility for their mandate.

“There is ongoing close liaison between the Department of Defence and An Garda Síochána regarding security matters. The Department of Defence continue to monitor the situation to ensure they are fully prepared for any possible issues that may arise, particularly as a consequence of Brexit,” Minister McEntee concluded.