BY CATRIONA GALLEN

AN URGENT meeting is to be sought with the Minister of Defence over the closure of Lifford barracks.

The impending closure of Lifford, as well as Letterkenny's Rockhill Army barracks, in January next marks the end of a community in Donegal with the transfer of 252 personnel from both barracks to Finner camp near Bundoran.

Lifford and Letterkenny barracks will be officially closed on 31 January. A Department spokesperson said the move was already well underway and both barracks would be offered for sale with a view to obtaining the best market value.

"Lifford and Letterkenny will be placed on the market but it is unlikely the Ministry will sell until the current market picks up," he explained. He added that the monies from the sale would be retained by the Ministry of Defence.

Councillors in Lifford unanimously passed an emergency motion this week seeking a deputation with the Minister of Defence, Willie O'Dea TD, however a successful outcome is not expected.

Councillors said they expected the Department of Defence to sell Lifford Army barracks first and expressed hopes that Rockhill would be retained as a national park in the future.

Councillor Dessie Larkin said that Rockhill and Lifford since they were established in the 1970's had contributed to the community through sporting events.

"I think it is a huge mistake to leave the north of the county without an army presence. There had previously been an army presence on the Ballyshannon bridge 24/7 because the county would be cut off if it was blown up. What do people do in north Donegal now if there is a flooding crisis or other disaster?" he asked.

Cllr Gerry McMonagle said it was the relocation of a community to a barracks at Finner which was not equipped to cater for the extra personnel. "The cost of building new barrack blocks at Finner will far outweigh any savings to be made and it will also place the north of the county in trouble if an emergency were to arise," he said. Cllr McMonagle said Rockhill had a long history of occupation first being occupied by the IRA and then the armed forces.

Cllr Jimmy Harte said the monies from the sale of each army barracks would be placed with the Board of Works and the Ministry of Defence would not benefit.

It is believed that anybody living more than 40km from their new posting will be entitled to claim travel expenses for nine months, but what happens after nine months and who pays the security on each base is not yet known.