#Defence Forces

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

Watch: Just two new navy officers commissioned — but 11 cadets are now in training 
Watch: Just two new navy officers commissioned — but 11 cadets are now in training 
Only two new officers received their commissions in the ceremony for the 63rd Cadet Class at the Naval Base in Haulbowline, Cork, on Friday

Fri, 18 Jul, 2025

'Ireland needs military-grade drones to fend off bombardment of drugs by cocaine cartels' 
'Ireland needs military-grade drones to fend off bombardment of drugs by cocaine cartels' 
In the wake of the Broadstrand drugs seizure and convictions following the MV Matthew case, security sources say Ireland must up its game to tackle drug trafficking

Mon, 07 Jul, 2025

Simon Harris visit to Lebanon
TD who served with Unifil warns end of UN Lebanon mandate would be 'catastrophic' 
Catherine Callaghan's plea comes amid concern that the UN peacekeeping operation in southern Lebanon may not have its mandate renewed next month

Mon, 07 Jul, 2025

Gardaí probe if Aughinish bomb linked to Russian attack on Ukraine
Gardaí probe if Aughinish bomb linked to Russian attack on Ukraine
Defence Forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal team confirmed the device was viable and rendered it safe after it was discovered late on Friday

Sun, 06 Jul, 2025

Irish troop missions 'held hostage' by UN veto, says former army colonel
Irish troop missions 'held hostage' by UN veto, says former army colonel
The Oireachtas Defence Committee is continuing hearings on the Defence Bill 2025 which proposes to scrap the 'Triple Lock'

Tue, 01 Jul, 2025

Government proposal on triple Lock gives an Irish solution to an Irish problem
Government proposal on triple Lock gives an Irish solution to an Irish problem
The 'self-imposed straitjacket' undermines Irish sovereignty and should have been constitutionally challenged years ago, writes Dorcha Lee

Tue, 01 Jul, 2025

Ireland’s defence spending slammed as ‘bad joke’ amid Nato push for 3.5% GDP target
Ireland’s defence spending slammed as ‘bad joke’ amid Nato push for 3.5% GDP target
As EU countries ramp up defence spending, Ireland remains at just 0.2% of GDP — a level critics call dangerously low

Fri, 27 Jun, 2025

Ireland's neutrality and proposed scrapping of triple lock 'entirely unrelated', Dáil committee hears
Ireland's neutrality and proposed scrapping of triple lock 'entirely unrelated', Dáil committee hears
Former senior Department of Defence official said there would be 'no change' to Ireland's neutrality if requirement for UN approval to send Defence Forces abroad was removed from Defence Bill

Thu, 26 Jun, 2025

Defence Forces Chief of Staff warns that specialised personnel are not paid enough
Defence Forces Chief of Staff warns that specialised personnel are not paid enough
Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy was speaking at a special sitting of the Oireachtas committee on defence and national security

Wed, 25 Jun, 2025

30 years of Women in the Irish army
Defence Forces risks 'not serving public interest' and wasting taxpayer's money
Way abuse is defined is one of the main issues concerning survivors of Defence Forces mistreatment and other abuses

Fri, 20 Jun, 2025

Cyber warfare 'biggest threat' as Europe takes Ireland to court over terror law failures
Cyber warfare 'biggest threat' as Europe takes Ireland to court over terror law failures
It comes as the European Commission announced it was taking Ireland to the European Court of Justice for failing to comply with EU laws on removing online terrorist content

Wed, 18 Jun, 2025

Government signs new sonar contract to enhance maritime security
Government signs new sonar contract to enhance maritime security
The sonar, the first of its kind in Ireland, will be used for monitoring and surveillance in the subsea domain, enhancing maritime security

Sun, 15 Jun, 2025

Defence Forces taking part in EU missions without triple lock 'could breach neutrality'
Defence Forces taking part in EU missions without triple lock 'could breach neutrality'
Human rights lawyer warns that if Ireland takes part in OSCE or EU missions without a UN mandate, it could lead to unforeseen breaches our neutrality

Thu, 12 Jun, 2025

Long-neglected Naval Service strength 'starts to creep up'
Long-neglected Naval Service strength 'starts to creep up'
The Naval Service is currently over 1,000 personnel short of the target under the Government’s plan, which has five years to run

Wed, 11 Jun, 2025

Tánaiste to seek Cabinet approval on bonus scheme to keep specialists in air corps
Tánaiste to seek Cabinet approval on bonus scheme to keep specialists in air corps
It comes amid reports that Irish military flight operations at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel are to move to part-time hours, and may soon have to cease entirely due to severe staff shortages

Tue, 10 Jun, 2025

Charity offers counselling to Irish soldiers who have endured the ‘horror’ of war in Ukraine
Charity offers counselling to Irish soldiers who have endured the ‘horror’ of war in Ukraine
Former Irish Defence Forces personnel are receiving counselling for PTSD from the Organisation for National Ex-Service Personnel (ONE)

Mon, 09 Jun, 2025

Cadet commissioning ceremony
Simon Harris was lobbied by arms industry, FoI records show
The Irish Defence and Security Association, whose members include Lockheed Martin, lobbied for development of Ireland's 'defence industry strategy'

Mon, 09 Jun, 2025

Drugs seizure on cargo ship
Crews 'expendable' in massive cocaine smuggling operation, court hears
A retired Ukrainian fisherman was told he would earn €5k but claimed he did not know it was a drug-trafficking plot for a major organised crime group

Thu, 05 Jun, 2025

Drugs seizure on cargo ship
MV Matthew crew 'terrified' amid chaos of cocaine trafficking operation, court hears
Special Criminal Court hears of activity on board the ship in the hours before Irish Army Rangers stormed it, bringing the criminal operation to a sudden and dramatic end

Wed, 04 Jun, 2025

30 years of Women in the Irish army
Defence Forces abuse survivors want 'abuse of rank and power' included in tribunal terms
Review noted 80% of harassment of male and female personnel was perpetrated by one or more members of a higher rank to the victim

Wed, 04 Jun, 2025

Private Sean Rooney inquest
Mother of slain Irish soldier Sean Rooney permitted to sue United Nations
Natasha Rooney has been granted leave to serve proceedings on the UN over her son’s 2022 killing in Lebanon

Tue, 03 Jun, 2025

Irish peacekeepers ‘safe and well’ after shots fired close to patrol in Lebanon
Irish peacekeepers ‘safe and well’ after shots fired close to patrol in Lebanon
The Irish Defence Forces said they have received reports that a number of shots were fired in the area of a joint Irish United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) and Lebanese Armed Forces patrol close to the Blue Line

Thu, 29 May, 2025

Ireland to rely on foreign navies for undersea threat detection until 2027, says Tánaiste
Ireland to rely on foreign navies for undersea threat detection until 2027, says Tánaiste
Sonar upgrade delay leaves Navy dependent on NATO and allies to monitor undersea activity near critical cables

Tue, 27 May, 2025

'Ireland needs fresh strategy to protect its extensive maritime area' 
'Ireland needs fresh strategy to protect its extensive maritime area' 
Valentia Island symposium highlighted some of the challenges — not least that Ireland's maritime area is seven times the size of its landmass 

Mon, 26 May, 2025

Review of the 125th Infantry Battalion
Bill to scrap UN approval on sending troops overseas to begin pre-legislative scrutiny
The Government has said that the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, which includes Russia, should not have a veto over a decision of a nation on where its troops can go

Mon, 26 May, 2025

East Cork naval personnel 'will be left high and dry' if commuter boat service is cut
East Cork naval personnel 'will be left high and dry' if commuter boat service is cut
PDForra conference hears fears about future of Cobh-Haulbowline launch serving garrison staff who live in East Cork

Thu, 15 May, 2025

Spouses of Defence Forces personnel now eligible for €1.50 weekly cross-border health cover
Spouses of Defence Forces personnel now eligible for €1.50 weekly cross-border health cover
The expanded PDForra-run healthcare scheme now includes partners and spouses of serving members, improving access to faster care

Thu, 15 May, 2025

Gaps in Defence Forces personnel threatens Ireland's ability to respond to security risks, conference told
Gaps in Defence Forces personnel threatens Ireland's ability to respond to security risks, conference told
Brigadier General Rossa Mulcahy told delegates the Defence Forces is working to recruit and retain highly-trained personnel

Wed, 14 May, 2025

Simon Harris says improving recruitment and retention in Defence Forces one of his 'most important priorities'
Simon Harris says improving recruitment and retention in Defence Forces one of his 'most important priorities'
PDForra calls for 'root-and-branch review of basic pay and duty money' for Defence Forces personnel

Tue, 13 May, 2025

Simon Harris visit to Lebanon
Ireland to extend peacekeeping mission in Lebanon for 12 months — Tánaiste
Simon Harris to confirm plans at PDFORRA Conference and recommit to justice for Private Seán Rooney’s family

Tue, 13 May, 2025

1/4/2018. 1916 Easter Rising Commemorations
PDForra to push for halt to exodus of skilled technicians from Defence Forces
Conference in Killarney is expected to urge Government to set up a special review body 'as a matter of urgency' to halt the exodus

Tue, 13 May, 2025

Defence Forces get locked in to defending nation of Berylia in cyberwarfare game
Defence Forces get locked in to defending nation of Berylia in cyberwarfare game
Another AI-generated image shows a selection of media visiting the war’s frontlines as guests of the Berylian administration, which is on a charm offensive as part of its ambitions to join the EU

Thu, 08 May, 2025

Fianna Fail's 1916 commemoration
Martin: Ireland is less protected by geography in today's world
Tánaiste Simon Harris made similar comments at the same event as he raised the contested and complex nature of the current global security environment

Tue, 06 May, 2025

'I thank God every day it was me', says army priest who was stabbed in Galway
'I thank God every day it was me', says army priest who was stabbed in Galway
Fr Paul Murphy's attacker, a now 17-year-old, has been sentenced to ten years detention with the final two years suspended 

Sun, 04 May, 2025

SPAIN-US-INTERNET-FACEBOOK-MICROSOFT
Irish waters may be a 'choke point' in terms of vulnerability of subsea cables
Around 11 fibre optic cables connecting North America to Europe pass through or near Ireland’s Exclusive Economic Zone which stretches over 200 nautical miles off the south west and west coast

Wed, 23 Apr, 2025

Hacker code in laptop. Cyber security, privacy or hack threat. Coder or programmer writing virus software, malware, internet att
Defence Forces faces rising cyber risks, according to new strategy
The deployment of the Defence Forces’ Cyber Defence Strategy is hampered by staffing issues, however

Wed, 23 Apr, 2025

Defence Forces bring in independent grievance process for recruits
Defence Forces bring in independent grievance process for recruits
Serving members will now be able to make complaints regarding inappropriate behaviour, without having to take such complaints to their immediate superiors

Tue, 22 Apr, 2025

123rd Infantry Battalion Deployment Mission Readiness Exercise
Gardaí search for potentially live shell missing from Glen of Imaal firing range 'danger area'
Member of the public spotted an 84mm illumination round partially buried in the ground  — but when gardaí searched the area, the potentially hazardous round could not be found

Tue, 15 Apr, 2025

Department's military law report in wake of soldier's trial for assault on Natasha O’Brien costs €130k
Department's military law report in wake of soldier's trial for assault on Natasha O’Brien costs €130k
At the time of Cathal Crotty’s initial trial there had been 68 serving members of the Defence Forces who had been either convicted of a serious crime in the three years preceding or who were at that time before the courts

Tue, 15 Apr, 2025

18/3/2010. Army Rangers Exercises
Elite army unit set to get new headquarters and training centre following delay
Proposal for construction of Army Ranger Wing facility at the Curragh to be brought to Cabinet on Tuesday

Tue, 15 Apr, 2025

Michael Gaine — Gardaí have not indicated foul play 'as of yet'
Michael Gaine — Gardaí have not indicated foul play 'as of yet'
At AGSI conference, justice minister Jim O'Callaghan appeals for information about farmer last seen in Kenmare Centra on March 20

Mon, 14 Apr, 2025

Defence Forces ombudsman highlights poor communication and rising officer complaints in 2024 report
Defence Forces ombudsman highlights poor communication and rising officer complaints in 2024 report
Alan Mahon’s annual report reveals sharp increases in direct complaints from officers and issues around internal communication

Sat, 12 Apr, 2025

Senator calls for Defence Forces to tackle wildfires
Senator calls for Defence Forces to tackle wildfires
Discarding a cigarette or dumping barbeque coals in national parks and nature reserves, coastal sand dunes, mountains and upland areas, forests, meadows and urban parks can have devastating impact

Fri, 11 Apr, 2025

Priest says 'I forgive you' in court to juvenile who stabbed him seven times
Priest says 'I forgive you' in court to juvenile who stabbed him seven times
'As a man of faith, I am in the business of forgiveness,' army chaplain tells teenager radicalised by online Islamist propaganda

Fri, 11 Apr, 2025

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Mick Clifford
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