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Minister Shatter welcomes announcement by Westmeath GAA County Board
The Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Mr. Alan Shatter T.D., today (Wednesday 7 August 2013) welcomed the announcement of the signing of a one year lease with the Westmeath GAA County Board for the use of part of the former military barracks in Mullingar.
It is planned that the Barracks will be used as a centre of excellence for the development of Gaelic games in the County. The news comes following several weeks of discussions between officials of the Department of Defence and officials from the Westmeath County Board.
The Minister hopes that this initiative will lead to the further development of Mullingar barracks in the future. Minister Shatter is particularly pleased that the property will be used to benefit the local community as it is Government policy to dispose of surplus property in a manner which will benefit local communities where possible.
The Barracks in Mullingar is also currently being used for training purposes by An Garda Síochána and the Revenue Commissioners (specialist dog unit).