Family members of soldiers serving in Longford, who have been demonstrating against the closure of the local barracks, have accused the Government of walking on the people of the area.
However, during a visit there this afternoon, the Chief of Staff, Lt Gen Dermot Earley, said he listened to the concerns of troops, their families and public representatives. However, he said the closure would have to go ahead.
Up to 80 wives, partners and children of Longford soldiers picketed Connolly Barracks during the visit of the Chief of Staff.
The 130 soldiers based in Longford will be redeployed to Athlone at the end of January. Barracks are also being closed in Donegal and Monaghan, involving more than 650 redeployments in total.
The army wives and partners are angry because the soldiers will now face long commutes to their new places of work, or families may have to sell their current homes to move closer to their new workplaces.
The women also said some troops serving in Chad at the moment are angry that the closures were announced while they are on peacekeeping duties abroad.
The deputy Mayor of Longford town, Peggy Nolan, estimated that the closure would mean an annual loss of €6m to the town.
General Earley said he hoped to help the troops in dealing with their concerns but he insisted that the closures would proceed.
The soldiers' relatives have taken out a full page advertisement in their local newspaper criticising the closure.
A march through Longford town is planned for Saturday afternoon as the next step in their campaign to keep the barracks open.
