Custume Barracks recruitment drive would be a great boost for Athlone – McFadden

Fine Gael TD for Longford/Westmeath, Gabrielle McFadden, has said that a renewal of recruitment in the defence forces would be a great boost for Athlone and surrounding areas. Deputy McFadden was speaking after the Minister for Agriculture and Defence, Simon Coveney TD, visited Custume Barracks this week.

“I welcome the visit of the Minister for Agriculture and Defence Simon Coveney TD to Custume Barracks this week. It was great to hear him say that the future of the barracks is secure. Even more promising was his pronouncement that Costume Barracks could benefit from a planned recruitment drive.

“Custume Barracks has been the heart and soul of Athlone since the foundation of the State. A new recruitment drive would mean a real boost for the town and the surrounding region. Increased numbers of soldiers here in Athlone means more families living here. It is good for the vibrancy of the community and good for local businesses.

“The Government stated its commitment to the future of Custume Barracks when it stationed the air ambulance service there in 2012. To hear Minister Coveney commit to the future of the Barracks again this week is really good news. I plan to use the new Dáil term to raise the prospect of a recruitment drive with Minister Coveney again and I look forward to working with him on what would be a very positive development for Athlone.”