A retired Brigadier General from Roscommon says the closing down of local army barracks has contributed to the decrease in the defence forces.
An article by the Irish Examiner this week states that for the first time in living memory, the strength of the Irish army has fallen below 6,000.
According to the report, a total of 758 left the Defence Forces last year either due to forced retirement on age grounds, resignation, or on medical grounds with only 415 being recruited.
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Speaking to the Joe Finnegan Show this morning, former Brigadier General Ger Aherne says multiple closures of Military Barracks in the Shannonside region over the years hasn't helped:
