Fears over forces’ role in civil emergencies

Concern has been raised that proposed changes to army structures in Cork could impact on the Defence Forces’ ability to help during civil emergencies.

The army has played a strong role in helping with the aftermath of severe weather events in recent years, particularly the floods that hit Cork City in Nov 2009 and the freezing weather in Jan 2010.

Business leaders worry that the city and region could be affected if the response of the Defence Forces to such emergencies is limited.

Cork Chamber has not been given any official information but it would like to see some clarity about the situation at Collins Barracks.

“We would be concerned with any potential dilution of services associated with the support they give to local authorities and other agencies at times when their services are needed. It would be important that the level of service would be maintained,” said chamber chief executive Conor Healy.

Members of the 4th Infantry Battalion on duty at Collins Barracks were called to a parade and briefed on the plans on Wednesday afternoon.

While jobs cannot be lost under the Croke Park agreement, the expectation is that some personnel would be redeployed to other barracks. While members of the infantry battalion would be absorbed into artillery and other units, numbers at Collins Barracks could eventually dwindle as retiring staff go unreplaced.

Gerry Rooney, the general secretary of PDFORRA, which represents personnel in the Defence Forces, said infantry was not the primary duty of any of the other units at Collins Barracks.

“If people were to be moved to other units, they would need re-training, and it would have an impact on their role in local or regional emergencies.

“Troops from other units would normally also be involved in those operations but it is the strength of the infantry battalion, as the biggest unit there.”

He said PDFORRA wanted to be able to allay members’ fears, particularly coming so soon after the closure of Kickham Barracks in Clonmel, Co Tipperary. Some soldiers there were moved to Collins Barracks, though most went to Sarsfield Barracks in Limerick and Stephens Barracks in Kilkenny.

There is anger locally at the perceived political protection being given to brigades in the Mid-West, West, and other regions. Local army personnel have expressed fear to the Irish Examiner about a reduced role limiting the army’s ability to respond to civil or military situations at the region’s strategic facilities.

These include Cork, Shannon, and Farranfore airports, Port of Cork, the oil refinery and gas terminal in East Cork, and the chemical industry concentrated in Cork Harbour.