Condition of army in 1956

Gerry McMahon
Interviewed for MAOHP - 21/12/2016
Reference Code: IE_MA_MAC_006_MAOHP_004_H
Location(s): Custume Barracks
Length: 2.28

In this clip, Lieutenant General McMahon speaks about his feelings of disappointment at the situation in Athlone after he was sent there in January 1956. He outlines that the reality of how poorly organised and staffed the army was at the time. Speaks in detail about the nature and morale of the army in the mid-1950s. He states that the 6th Battalion had only just over 100 soldiers when it should have been over 500. He declares that 'To my mind it was soul destroying' and claimed that 'The Defence Forces were allowed to kind of just wither on the vine though lack of money'.

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