Existing barracks buildings could house refugees - CBRRC

There is “more than sufficient accommodation” in the existing buildings in Columb Barracks to house refugees from Ukraine, according to the Columb Barracks Restoration and Regeneration Committee (CBRRC).

In a statement issued today, the CBRRC said that at one time around 300 soldiers were based in the accommodation blocks at the barracks and “these spaces can be adequately heated and provided with other basic facilities for living”.

“The buildings are in reasonably good condition, there is an oil-fired central heating system serving all the buildings, and in every one of the accommodation blocks there are toilets and areas where food could be prepared.

“The entire barracks is supplied with 3-phase electricity, and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland has approved an Energy Master Plan which would enable the barracks to be supplied with electricity from renewable sources, such as solar photovoltaic.”

The CBRRC says that it has examined the proposal to locate prefabricated buildings in the barracks square, and has concluded that this would be “unsuitable and problematic”.

“The supply of potable water to these buildings, the removal and treatment of wastewater from toilets, showers and kitchens, and the provision of electricity would require installation of underground pipes and cables which would be in contravention of the legal requirement to protect the historic structures, and would be resisted strongly by the Heritage Council. The installation of prefabricated buildings would also be in conflict with the need to protect the ambience and visual appearance of the barracks.”

Chairperson of the Columb Barracks Restoration and Regeneration Committee, Ms Helen Donnelly, says the barracks “is the perfect place to welcome and host Ukrainian people fleeing from war”

“We have a great community of people from central and eastern Europe in Mullingar who really want to help, and the Irish community groups in the area of the barracks also want to play their part. Send the Ukrainians to us and we will look after them.

“The civil service group which advocated the placement of prefabricated buildings in the Barracks Square appeared to be unaware of the need to protect the historic structures comprising the barracks, nor appeared to consider the infrastructure requirements of these prefabricated buildings, or how they would be serviced,” she said.