An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir November 2017 www.dfmagazine.ie 8 | 8 | new transport workshops For James stephen's BarraCks By PtE PARAIC SullIvAn, PR BRAnCh PhotoS ARMn ADAM MuRPhy O n Friday the 29th of September, in a splendidly presented James Stephen's Barracks, the official opening of the newly constructed trans- port garages and workshop buildings took place. D CoS ops Major General Ciaran Brennan welcomed attendees to the Barracks for the official opening and then formally introduced Minister with Responsibility for Defence, Mr Paul Kehoe tD, who officially unveiled the new premises. Minister Kehoe opened the ceremony by welcoming all who attended, including both former and current members of the Defence Forces as well as distin- guished guests. He informed the crowd that the old workshops, which have been replaced in the new build, were in existence since the Barracks was estab- lished in 1801. With a collective total of over one million kilometres covered in military vehicles through- out 2016 by personnel in the Kilkenny Barracks, it is vitally important that all vehicles are well maintained and are readily available whenever needed. Military transport is para- mount in fulfilling all the as- signments detailed to the unit. With vehicles needed for any task, from aid to the civil power to providing the provision of services to the public in times of adverse weather, this new ga- rage will ensure prompt vehicle maintenance and repair. The old buildings were used as storage units for land rovers that were then con- verted into workshops, which contained a pit for works. The three-individual sheds were to be knocked in the 1980's however they survived until construction of the new building started on the 12th July 2016. Today workshop personnel have access to a modern and spacious workshop that is fully capable of providing both level one and level two maintenance. Inside the bays, are two-post and four-post fixed mobile hoists along with a diagnostic machine to detect and repair faults. Adjacent to the bays is a large office and storage room, which is stocked with materials and new vehicle parts. On dis- play were photographs from times past, showing the previous set-up. The visitors marvelled at the dramatic change from a glorified galvanised shed to a chic and modern facility. Minister Kehoe remarked that the new building cost in the region of one million euros to construct and thanked all those responsible both internally in the De- fence forces and externally for ensuring that the build completed both on time and on budget. With another workshop almost com- plete in Sarsfield Barracks in Limerick, it certainly shows the intention of the Defence forces to provide its staf f with top class working facilities in the safest of environments. Lt Col Brownen with Minister Kehoe, Maj Gen Brennan and Brig Gen Flynn opening the new workshops.

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