MoD are ‘committed’ to Thiepval despite changes

THE Ministry of Defence has confirmed that 19 Light Brigade, which is currently housed at Thiepval Barracks in Lisburn, will be fully disbanded by March 31, 2013 - but stressed its commitment to keep ‘a strong military garrison’ in Northern Ireland.

40 Regiment Royal Artillery is the first unit to be disbanded and that will be completed by October 2012.

The MoD has also confirmed that 173 Provost Company, 3rd Regiment Royal Military Police, which provides operational support to 19 Lte Bde, will begin to disband from October 31, 2012.

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Nine Civil Service posts will also be effected by the disbandment.

However, in a letter to Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson, the MoD stressed that they remain committed to maintaining a military garrison in Northern Ireland.

“Whilst this letter from the MoD confirms that they are proceeding with the disbandment of 19 Light Brigade, with some units disbanding over the new few months, I welcome the very firm commitment given by the Minister that the MoD intends to maintain a strong military garrison in Northern Ireland, which will continue to be headquartered at Thiepval Barracks in Lisburn,” said Mr Donaldson, “and, of course, we will continue to be the headquarters for the local brigade of the army as well.

“I am continuing to liaise with the MoD to ensure Thiepval Barracks continues to be an important military base and indeed we are hopeful of further reserve units being located there in the future,” he concluded.