Thousands of people are expected to line the streets of Mullingar on Wednesday next to mark the end of an era for the towns army barracks.
Columb Barracks is the first of four barracks to close as part of a government decision to deploy a smaller army into fewer locations.
The other towns affected by the closures are Clonmel, Cavan and Castlebar, due to close by March 30th.
Government Minister , Labour TD Willie Penrose who resigned over the closure of the army barracks in Mullingar, said yesterday he had no regrets and would do it again.
Poilin Ni Riain
