Minister for Defence in Kilkenny for Review of the 65th Infantry Group and opening of €3.3m Facility

Mr. Simon Coveney, T.D., Minister for Defence and Foreign Affairs in Kilkenny for Review of the 65th Infantry Group and opening of €3.3m Facility

The Minister for Defence, Simon Coveney TD, today, 14 March, reviewed the 65th Infantry Group, who will shortly deploy to the Golan Heights as part of the United Nations’ Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF).

The Minister was accompanied by the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Sean Clancy, and the Secretary General of the Department of Defence, Jacqui McCrum.

Addressing the 130-strong contingent in Stephens’ Barracks in Kilkenny, Minister Coveney said “you are heading off to keep peace in a part of the world that has known its share of conflict at a time when millions of innocent Ukrainians are fleeing from an illegal and immoral invasion.”

Reflecting the response of the Irish people to the war in Ukraine, the Minister also paid tribute to the “enormous outpouring of support being offered by tens of thousands of Irish citizens up and down this country, whether in extraordinary fundraising efforts or in that most practical of ways by literally opening their doors to those fleeing war.”

The Minister warmly welcomed the families of the members of the 56th Infantry Group who, following the lifting of Covid restrictions, were able to attend today’s review. Concluding his remarks, the Minister recalled that those deploying would “be keeping peace at a time a part of our continent was at war.

Minister Coveney also officially opened a new Gymnasium and Multi Sports facility at James Stephens Barracks, Kilkenny.

The building represents a significant upgrading of the facilities of Stephens’ Barracks and is one of a suite of new infrastructure projects to be delivered for the 1 Bde as part of the Defence Forces 5 Year Infrastructure Plan. Other projects for 1 Bde include renovation and construction of new accommodation blocks in Collins Barracks as well as a new Gym in Limerick.

The Minister stated that “the completion of this new facility has created a modern gymnasium and multi-purpose hall within the confines of Stephens’ Barracks and will provide improved infrastructure to cater for the physical fitness needs of 473 Defence Forces personnel stationed in the Barracks and over 500 as serving personnel on short-term military training courses and security duties”.

This new facility is an important element of the Defence Forces ongoing capital-building programme that is designed to modernise and enhance the training, operational and accommodation facilities available to members.

At a cost of some €3.3m, the Minister went on to say that “this new facility represents a significant investment in built infrastructure for the benefit of the Defence Organisation. This Gymnasium is the first of two such facilities to be completed as part of the 5 year Defence Forces Infrastructure Development Plan, the other being at Sarsfield Barracks Limerick which was completed last summer at an estimated cost of €3m”.

Minister Coveney paid tribute to all those involved in delivering this facility in these challenging times. In particular those within the Defence Forces, the Design Team and the Contractor, Kevin Moore Building Contractors Ltd.

ENDS

Note for Editors on new Gymnasium and Multi Sports facility

• Kevin Moore (Building Contractor) Ltd.

• €2,846,068.58 ex VAT

• €3,230,287.83 Including VAT

The facility will provide the activity spaces for the following compatible sporting activities, together with their safety zones, either in the main sports hall area or in adjacent rooms.

1. Basketball - 1 court to Club standard

2. Gymnastics - 1 practice area (without pits)

3. Indoor soccer - 1 court - Recreational standard

4. Unarmed combat - 1 practice area

5. Trained soldier physical training - 1 practice area

6. Recruit PT (Military skills) - 1 practice area

7. Volleyball - 1 court to Club Standard

8. Cardiovascular machine training - separate activity space

9. Rowing - separate activity space

10. Weight Training - separate activity space

• In addition, provision will be made in the construction of the facility for the future installation of a climbing wall.

• Apart from meeting training requirements, the sports hall will also provide an indoor location for parades and addresses when weather conditions adverse to outdoor gatherings are encountered.

1 Bde have provide the following updated information on number of personnel Stephens Barracks, Kilkenny:

• 3 Inf Bn; PDF Strength is currently – 473

• RDF Strength is currently 138, (of which approximately 40 attend weekly night parades, and the balance weekend Field days, in Stephens’ Barracks.)

• 1 Security Company (Establishment 27) and Directorate of Military Police (Establishment 7) are also located in Stephen’s Barracks

The gym will therefore benefit over five hundred (500) serving members.