The decision to close Kickham Barracks is totally outrageous and indefensible on any grounds.

Taken together with the closure of St Michaels’ Unit and the transferring of our Acute Psychiatric Beds to Kilkenny by a Labour Minister Kathleen Lynch, the Movement of the Vocational Education Committee from Clonmel and South Tipperary to Nenagh by Labour Minister Alan Kelly and now the closure of Kickham Barracks by Minister Alan Shatter of the Fine Gael party, it is evident that we are clearly under attack by this Labour - Fine Gael Government. We are under siege.

The people of Clonmel fought off Cromwell and we will fight this government of broken promises and pre election promises of fiction.

The decision to close Kickham Barracks on 15 November 2011 is an attack on the economic, social and historical wellbeing of this town.

This is a vicious attack on our Soldiers and their families. Our Soldiers and their families in the 12th Battalion are heartbroken by this news, some knowing when going to the Lebanon on 16 November 2011 that they will not return to their barracks.

The loss of €9 – €10 million in revenue from the town will bring job losses and business closures.

We call on Minister Alan Shatter TD, Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence to immediately make available to all the Feasibility Study which led to the decision to close Kickham Barracks, Clonmel, Co Tipperary and to Reverse this totally unnecessary and cost ineffective decision.