# Irish Defence Forces

Last week

29th January 2023 - 4th February 2023

# troops abroad

Lebanon troops on what the military needs: 'Pay could be better - we're months away from home'

The coming week marks the first anniversary of the Commission on the Defences Forces report.

17.6k

Sat 12:05 AM

# Government Jet

State looking to buy a new ten-seater Government jet that can travel long-haul

Micheál Martin says there has been ‘serious issues’ with the current Learjet.

20.6k

Feb 2nd 2023, 1:13 PM

# Karina Molloy

Former soldier who suffered alleged abuse criticises Government and military leaders

Karina Molloy turned whistleblower on sexual abuse after a 30-year career in the Irish Defence Forces.

26.4k

Jan 29th 2023, 6:00 AM

Last month

January 2023

# Defence Forces

Weathering the storm: Chief of Staff Sean Clancy on a tumultuous year in defence

Clancy sat down with The Journal recently to discuss his time so far in the top job, and the challenges ahead.

18.3k

Jan 22nd 2023, 12:05 AM

# Defence

Govt plans to review 'Triple Lock' system and how foreign missions for Ranger Wing are approved

The issue of deploying the Army Ranger Wing to protect a diplomatic mission in Kyiv is seen an example why the legislation change is needed.

11.7k

Jan 17th 2023, 1:59 PM

# Defence Forces

Chief of Staff: Full employment in Ireland 'major stumbling block' to solving retention crisis

The ‘job for life’ outlook of his generation is gone, Lt General Seán Clancy conceded.

16.8k

Jan 9th 2023, 11:43 AM

# airlift

New €50m cargo aircraft will enable international troop transport and rescue missions abroad

Multiple sources have said that the deposit was paid on 23 December by the Department of Defence and the final cost could be in the region of €50 million.

55.7k

Jan 8th 2023, 12:05 AM

Last year

2022

# Sean Rooney

Funeral honours 'national hero' and 'kind and loving' Private Seán Rooney in Dundalk

Seán’s funeral took place in Dundalk this morning before a burial service in Donegal later today.

32.4k

Updated

Dec 22nd 2022, 8:11 PM

# Lebanon

Irish military police to travel to Lebanon as three investigations get underway into fatal attack

Private Shane Kearney remains critical, his condition is unchanged.

The repatriation of the body of Private Seán Rooney has not yet been finalised.

Private Shane Kearney remains critical, his condition is unchanged.

Three investigations are underway, each by Irish, UN, and Lebanese officials.

21.9k

Updated

Dec 16th 2022, 5:01 PM

# strategic risk

Irish Army captain: dangers of live fire exercise an increased risk due to staffing shortfalls

Capt Karl Muckian said that such is the shortfall that the issue should be added to the strategic risk register.

21.9k

Dec 5th 2022, 12:05 AM

# Defence Forces

Warning that lack of specialist doctors tending Irish soldiers could result in missed diagnoses

Dr Paddy Kelly has warned of chronic under-resourcing of military medicine in Ireland.

11.0k

Dec 4th 2022, 7:30 AM

# transformation

Defence department hiring civilian for €151k role to spearhead new change plan

The role will support the Chief of Staff directly and ‘drive, support, advise and enable the future transformation’ of the Defence Forces.

30.9k

Dec 2nd 2022, 6:08 PM

# exchanging fire

PBP writes to Ceann Comhairle as Taoiseach defends 'Puppets for Putin' remark

The Taoiseach was asked to explain ‘what was going on’ when NATO visited Cork

59.8k

Nov 30th 2022, 3:28 PM

# Adriaan Palm

EU countries looking to persuade Irish navy to move contracts away from UK

Three Dutch naval vessels paid a courtesy visit to Cork harbour last weekend.

25.8k

Nov 30th 2022, 7:00 AM

# RACO conference

'Existential crisis' in Defence as officers' group declare recruitment target unachievable

The Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (RACO) are in Naas, Co Kildare for their annual conference.

21.4k

Updated

Nov 29th 2022, 5:29 PM

# raco

Irish military officer group declares Defence Forces 'moving in wrong direction'

RACO will host Minister for Defence Simon Coveney and military top brass in Naas.

24.9k

Nov 28th 2022, 6:30 AM

# guns and gorse

Five mile sniper: On the hills of north Cork with Irish troops and NATO evaluators

The evaluation of Irish artillery is part of a European wide NATO military effort to make all armies capable of working together.

48.9k

Nov 24th 2022, 12:05 AM

# Paddyflage

Military Police launch 'review' into sale of Irish army uniforms on US website

Sources have said that concerns are that uniforms could fall into the hands of Dissident Republicans and criminals.

30.3k

Nov 3rd 2022, 12:05 AM

# Irish Defence Forces

Government announces "interim arrangement" to prevent forced retirement of Sergeants

Last week The Journal revealed that a measure to increase the fitness of serving members in the 1990s saw contracts introduced forcing members to go prematurely.

18.0k

Updated

Nov 2nd 2022, 4:50 PM

# Irish Defence Forces

'Ludicrous': Govt departments at loggerheads as date for forced retirement of sergeants looms

The rule means that Sergeants who have joined on post-1994 contracts must resign when they reach the age of 50.

43.4k

Updated

Oct 26th 2022, 9:11 AM

# Sabotage

Major operation launched in Irish Sea to protect subsea cables from attacks

It is understood that the mission was ordered after the attacks on the Nordsteam pipelines caused significant disquiet in Government.

63.4k

Updated

Oct 20th 2022, 8:35 PM

THE MORNING LEAD

Coveney: 'No arms industry' but Ireland should explore military trade opportunities

A report by

Niall O'Connor

The event, entitled “Building the ecosystem, Identifying connections for collaborations in security, defence and dual-use technologies”, was held in the Aviva Stadium.

25.5k

Oct 7th 2022, 12:05 AM

# primary defence

New radar project to track jets and drones across Irish airspace could cost €300 million

The radar systems would be able to detect jets and drones at a range of altitutes.

29.9k

Oct 2nd 2022, 12:05 AM

# Italy

Operation Irini: With Irish forces inside a mission to end arms smuggling to Libya

Our first article in a two part series on the work of the Irish Defence Forces in dealing with arms smuggling in Libya.

17.7k

Updated

Sep 30th 2022, 9:48 AM

# UNIFIL

Investigation as civilian motorcyclist killed in Lebanon collision with Irish military vehicle

The incident happened in south Lebanon where the troops are based.

19.3k

Sep 5th 2022, 5:20 PM

THE MORNING LEAD

Some Irish soldiers 'refused entry to US after peacekeeping duties'

A report by

Niall O'Connor

The issue has been raised with the US authorities by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

71.9k

Aug 10th 2022, 12:05 AM

# Annual Report

Defence Forces units train with NATO and EU partners but retention concerns continue

The Department of Defence and Defence Forces annual report was launched this week.

17.8k

Aug 5th 2022, 2:06 PM

# Defence Forces

Ex IBM manager: Pay, political neglect and public indifference all to blame for cyber failings

Paul Farrell retired as IBM Ireland’s General Manager last year but also was an officer in the Irish Defence Forces

15.7k

Jul 31st 2022, 9:00 AM

# Fianóglach

Ireland's special forces: Inside an Irish Army Ranger Wing maritime mission in the Irish Sea

The Journal was granted unprecedented access to the Martime Task Unit of the Irish Army Ranger Wing.

The Journal has been granted unprecedented access to the Army Ranger Wing's Maritime Task Unit.

37.8k

Jul 16th 2022, 12:05 AM

# Sean Clancy

Military chief on Defence Forces overhaul: 'It's a marathon - not a sprint'

Lietenant General Sean Clancy was speaking following the publication of the Commission on the Defence Forces Action Plan.

8.3k

Jul 14th 2022, 6:00 AM

# New Plan

Defence spending boost confirmed but doubt cast over several key reform proposals

A new high level action plan on the Defence Forces has been launched this morning.

22.6k

Updated

Jul 13th 2022, 12:50 PM

# jet

The Government has been advised to hire private jets to replace its ailing Learjet

Aviation consultancy Altea has recommended the leasing of private aircraft.

38.8k

Jul 3rd 2022, 12:05 AM

# Orla Ciara Eithne

The Naval Service is retiring three ships next week - and one might become a floating museum

The vessels, the LÉ Eithne, LÉ Orla and LÉ Ciara have all reached the end of their service life.

32.9k

Jul 1st 2022, 5:01 PM

# Mali

Sinn Féin TD accused of 'slur' against Irish Defence Forces' training work in Mali

The exchange between Simon Coveney and Deputy John Brady happened during a Defence and Foreign Affairs committee on peace keeping.

26.9k

Jun 30th 2022, 6:40 PM

# Cork

Gardaí and bomb disposal experts find suspected online purchased 'explosives' at Cork house

Gardai have sealed off the house on College Road, Cork.

27.7k

Updated

Jun 29th 2022, 7:45 PM

# Ukraine

Irish soldiers could train Ukrainian troops to make Russian minefields safe, minister says

Simon Coveney said that Ukraine had asked for demining training from Ireland.

11.8k

Jun 29th 2022, 4:32 PM

# Christine Whitecross

Former head of military abuse team: 'You just need to get rid of the dinosaurs'

Christine Whitecross is a retired Lieutenant General who led the Canadian Forces strategic response team on sexual misconduct.

14.5k

Jun 27th 2022, 8:50 PM

# Peace missions

Government renews approval for Irish peacekeeping missions in Syria and Kosovo

Irish troops are based in the Golan Heights and the Kosovar capital Pristina in UN mandated operations.

7.9k

Jun 16th 2022, 6:30 AM

# military transport

Documents reveal high level discussions in Defence around heavy lift transport aircraft

Ireland’s lack of large military transport aircraft was highlighted in the wake of last year’s Kabul mission.

30.5k

Jun 12th 2022, 12:05 AM

# Mark Mellett

Former Defence chief: First salvos of Ukraine war fired here as Russia exposed Ireland

Mark Mellett, the former Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces, launched a stinging attack on Irish defence capacity.

62.1k

Jun 9th 2022, 6:30 AM