Finding a future for Columb Barracks

A public meeting is to take place in Mullingar this week in reaction to the government revelation that it is looking to put Columb Barracks up for sale by public auction.

The Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny, said the costs to his department of maintaining the barracks “cannot be sustained” and that his department is considering selling it by public auction.

TD Robert Troy (left) wants the government to hold off on its plans, so a feasibility study can be undertaken as to how community and voluntary groups could avail of the facility.

“Leader funds are coming through – and there’s a possibility that they could be used for a feasibility study,” he said this week, in the wake of the taoiseach’s statement.

However, he continued, as he appealed for community groups to attend the meeting, if the study was to receive funding, there would have to be a “strong” community group in place and pushing for progress.

Westmeath Community Development – likely to be once again the body administering Leader funds in Westmeath – is organising the public meeting, which is to take place at Columb Barracks on Thursday June 23 at 8.30pm.

An Taoiseach – now also Minister for Defence – gave an insight into the government’s plans for the barracks in response to parliamentary questions tabled by Deputy Troy on the future of the facility.

“While the department supports the ongoing use of the barracks by the local community, the current financial and administrative burden resulting from the retention of the barracks cannot be sustained given that the barracks is no longer required for military purposes,” the taoiseach said.

“The option of disposing of the property by public auction is now being considered,” he told Deputy Troy.

He said that he would be happy to receive proposals from any interested group for the possible purchase and future development of the site for the benefit of the community

To date there had been no indications that this is likely to occur, and in January, the county council told officials from his department that the council does not have the resources to take over running the barracks on behalf of the community.

Deputy Troy says there’s every indication that there could be great use made of the barracks.

“This is a call to all interested people who would like to see the barracks being kept in community ownership for the benefit of the community, and the various groups in situ, such as the youth café, the Olympic Boxing Club, ONE,” he said.

“Originally the GAA was going to come in and take it over on a long lease, and be an ‘anchor tenant’, but it didn’t materialise.

“The department should ask the council to take it over and give them an annual grant for the upkeep, and maybe appoint a project manager who could act as a co-ordinating figure.

“But in the meantime, we want to see what level of interest from the community is in keeping it in community ownership.”

He said Mullingar Arts Centre and educational bodies are interested in using the barracks. 

He believed the possibility of educational courses being run there could be examined, as well as suggestions such as for providing sheltered accommodation for elderly people.