4th Brigade (Ireland)

The 4th Brigade (4 BDE), also known as 4th (Western) Brigade was a Brigade of the Irish Army headquartered in Custume Barracks in Athlone. It was disbanded in 2012 during a reorganisation of the Irish Defence Forces.

4th Brigade
Irish: 4ú Briogáid
4th Brigade shoulder flash
Disbanded2012
Country Ireland
BranchArmy
Part of Defence Forces
Garrison/HQCustume Barracks, Athlone
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Brigadier General Gerald Aherne (last commander)

History

150 or so soldiers drawn from the Brigade were deployed as a part of the 32nd Infantry Battalion as the first full contingent of Irish peacekeepers to see oversea service when they were sent to the Congo as part of ONUC in 1960.[1]

Soldiers from the Brigade also served in UN Peacekeeping Missions in Lebanon, Kosovo, Liberia and Chad.

On 30 November 2012, as a result of a significant reorganisation of the Irish Defence Forces, 4th Brigade was stood down at its headquarters in Custume Barracks in Athlone. The 1st Infantry Battalion was transferred to 1st Brigade, while the 6th and 28th Infantry Battalions were transferred to 2nd Brigade.[2]

Organisation

1979-2000
  • Brigade HQ (Custume Barracks, Athlone)
  • 1st Infantry Battalion (Galway)
  • 6th Infantry Battlion (Athlone)
  • 28th Infantry Battalion (Finner Camp, Lifford, Letterkenny)
  • 4th Cavalry Squadron (Longford)
  • 4th Field Artillery Regiment (Mullingar)
  • 4th Field Engineers Company (Athlone)
  • 4th Field Signals Company (Athlone)
  • 4th Field Supply and Transport Company (Athlone)
  • 4th Field Medical Company (Athlone)
  • 4th Field Military Police Company (Athlone)[3]

Future

Since the disbanding of 4th Brigade in 2012 there has been a significant movement, especially prevalent in the counties of Roscommon and Westmeath, supporting the re-establishment of the Brigade, along with the return of its former units. Many politicians have voiced support for reinstating the Brigade, most notably Fianna Fáil, which sees it as a boost for the Midlands, Athlone in particular.[4][5] Other politicians, such as Independent Sligo-Leitrim TD Marian Harkin have also shown support for the return of the Brigade.[6]

References
  1. "Press Release- Ceremonial Stand Down Parade of the 4th Western Brigade". Retrieved 17 December 2022.
  2. "The Colours of the 4th Western Brigade are ceremonially covered during the formal stand down parade of the Brigade in Athlone". Facebook. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  3. English, Adrian J. (2005). Irish Army Orders of Battle 1923-2004, pg 71/72. ISBN 9780972029674. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  4. "Fianna Fail will restore 4th Western Brigade: O'Rourke". Westmeath Independent. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  5. "Submission proposed for restoration of 4th Western Brigade at Custume Barracks". Athlone Advertiser. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  6. "Local TD calls for the return of 4th Western Brigade". Ocean FM. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
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