Call for new Gormanston Camp facilities to be made accessible to local community

By Eoin Ryan

A local Sinn Féin TD has called for the new Gormanston Camp facilities, which are expected to be completed during next year, to be made accessible to the local community.

A contract for the construction of a new modern gymnasium valued at €7.8 million for Gormanston camp in Meath was signed in February of this year. This includes a multipurpose hall and a purpose built training obstacle course. The training installation will accommodate the induction training of all future recruits into the Defence Forces. It is currently under construction and its estimated completion date is May next year.

The project is part of the Defence Forces infrastructure development plan which sets out a programme of project delivery up to 2027.

Meath East Sinn Féin TD Darren O’Rourke said these facilities could benefit the local area as there is a shortage of community amenities in Stamullen and the Gormanston area.

“Between Gormanston and Stamullen there is a growing population and a real shortage of amenities generally,” O’Rourke said.

“Specifically, I refer to Stamullen FC, for example, the local soccer club. This is something we have tried to raise in the past. We would like to see this very welcome investment used to its full potential, notwithstanding the security constraints.”

In response, Minister for Defence Simon Harris said to the “I do not know’ is the honest answer” and he will discuss this with the Chief of Staff. Harris said he has found the position of the Defence Forces and the Chief of Staff “to be one of wanting to work with local communities where possible.”

“Obviously, there are requirements from a security point of view, but there is also the issue of wanting our communities to be familiar with them.”

“There have been good examples. This comes up a lot in the context of Cathal Brugha Barracks. It came up in the context of Renmore when I was there recently. I met a local community group wanting to know.”

O’Rourke said he welcomes the Minister’s response as “It seems there is a willingness to explore the possibility. That, in itself, is positive.”