DEFENCE:FOUR ARMY barracks and a military hospital will close by the end of next January in a bid to reduce Defence spending next year.
Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea said the closures - at Longford, Letterkenny, Lifford, Monaghan and St Bricin's Hospital in Dublin - would enable military operations at home and overseas to continue at current levels.
The "regretful" closures were also needed to ensure the ongoing modernisation across the Defence Forces would continue.
"This was a difficult decision to take as I recognise it brings to an end almost four decades of Defence Forces close connections with communities," Mr O'Dea said.
Barrack closures were expected but the closure of so many facilities caught many by surprise. Even though no jobs will be shed savings will be made on the costs associated with running facilities.
Barracks close to the Border were tipped for closure given the reduction in paramilitary activity. The Defence Forces' presence close to the Border will now effectively be concentrated from seven to three barracks.
A total of 650 military personnel and 40 civilian workers will be relocated to Finner Camp in Co Donegal, Aiken Barracks in Dundalk and Custume Barracks in Athlone. Medical personnel from St Bricin's military hospital on Infirmary Rd, Dublin, will be relocated to the Curragh Camp.
Sources said the closure of five, of 29, facilities would be "a shock to the system" but would ultimately free personnel from "housekeeping" duties for operational duties.
Any money realised from the sale of the closed facilities will be reinvested in the Defence Forces. Mr O'Dea said the timing of the sales would be dictated by the state of the property market.
The Mayor of Co Monaghan, Cllr Matt Carthy (SF), said the closure of Monaghan barracks was "a very serious blow to the struggling economy in the Border county".
The town had already lost "a proper hospital", had not benefited from the boom years and the barracks closure was now "another kick in the teeth".
Overall, Defence spending including pensions will fall by 1.6 per cent next year to €1.06 billion. Some capital projects, including barrack improvements, will be deferred. Capital spending falls €5 million to €25 million.
Recruitment will be rescheduled to stay within reduced allocations of pay. The planned replacement of three Naval vessels will be delayed. However, there is provision for a down payment of €6 million next year for 27 light tactical armoured vehicles.