The fight for Columb Barracks continues this week

Columb BarracksWhen the six-strong delegation from Mullingar meet Minister for Defence Alan Shatter in Dublin tomorrow to discuss the future of Columb Barracks, they will give it to him straight.We understand that the minister is under pressure to contribute to budget cuts from his department, but he needs to know what effect closing Columb Barracks would have on Mullingar and County Westmeath.The delegates with demand a straight answer to their straight talking, and we hope Minister Shatter provides it.We also hope the answer is the right one for the town, and that the minister realises that there is more cuts than the figures being discussed at the cabinet table.Mullingar needs its barracks. Don't close it, minister.The virtues of teamworkIt was another eventful week in the sporting calendar. Clonkill claimed their fourth senior hurling crown in 11 years in Cusack Park on Sunday. Pat O'Toole's charges edged out a young Castletown Geoghegan side and are worthy winners of the Westmeath Examiner Cup. The new county champs' big match experience stood to them and they can now look forward to attempting to emulate the all-Ireland intermediate club championship winning team of three years ago.In the senior camogie championship final on Saturday evening, Lough Lene Gaels dashed Raharney's hopes of a five in a row with a hard fought victory. Unlike the senior hurling final, where experienced bettered youth, in the camogie decider the younger Lough Lene Gaels side claimed their first title in 10 years with a performance that highlighted the virtues of teamwork.And a special congratulations to Raharney's inter-county camogie star Pamela Greville, who was awarded a camogie Soaring Star in recognition of her heroics with the Lakesiders this year. This is the first time a player from the county has been given a Soaring Star and although she may have ended up on the losing side in both the all-Ireland final and last Sunday's final, Pamela deserves all the accolades she gets after another stunning season on the pitch.Fighting crimeIt is heartening to hear that the number of house break-ins has declined this year compared to last (see page 6). We regularly see and hear about intruders in people's homes, but the crime prevention officer at Mullingar Garda Station says there is much householders can do.The gardaí give regular presentations on security, a free service, and there are community alert groups in most areas. They believe most break-ins are opportunistic, and happen when homeowners leave doors or windows unlocked, so the best advice starts with simple checks before you leave the house.The community garda can advise on locks and alarm systems, and there are many private companies that provide excellent services in this area.Be safe at home is the message. Working together we can keep the places where we life safer.