#Defence Forces

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

Defence Forces Tribunal: Soldier had status downgraded after complaint of sex assault by army chaplain
Defence Forces Tribunal: Soldier had status downgraded after complaint of sex assault by army chaplain
Sergeant said he didn’t report the incident immediately because 'I didn’t want it to affect my career'

Fri, 30 Oct, 2026

Defence Forces complaints process should be independent of military command, say officers
Defence Forces complaints process should be independent of military command, say officers
The second day of the Defence Forces Tribunal heard that there are also issues around impartiality with officers very often knowing individuals they are ordered to investigate

Thu, 29 Oct, 2026

Women of Honour
Women of Honour battle over funding at Defence Forces Tribunal delayed until November
The two-day hearing, which had been due to begin on Tuesday, has been adjourned until November

Thu, 29 Oct, 2026

Defence Forces Tribunal: Officer declines to answer whether 'a good soldier' would complain
Defence Forces Tribunal: Officer declines to answer whether 'a good soldier' would complain
Tribunal resumes for second public module and expected to run into new year

Wed, 28 Oct, 2026

Sarah Harte: Openly admitting our mental health struggles could make society more tolerant
Sarah Harte: Openly admitting our mental health struggles could make society more tolerant
Stigma around mental health hasn’t gone away, as two recent literary events and the state of our Defence Forces has shown to me

Wed, 28 Oct, 2026

International Artificial Intelligence Summit 2026, Dublin
Higgins comments on triple lock and neutrality 'unfair', says Taoiseach
Taoiseach Micheál Martin rejected recent comments from former President Michael D Higgins that Ireland may be "sliding into" military alliances such as Nato, saying: "We don't have the military capacity to be engaged in wars or taking sides in conflict. I would have thought that was apparent to most people."

Tue, 27 Oct, 2026

Ireland-Belarus National Cultural Identities conference
Minister accuses Sinn Féin of bringing Dáil debate to ‘new low’ over triple lock ‘misinformation’
Some 79 TDs voted for the Bill to end the requirement for UN approval while 71 voted against in legislation which the Government aims to have enacted by the end of the year

Tue, 27 Oct, 2026

Irish peacekeepers in Lebanon
Helen McEntee rejects triple lock 'rhetoric' following Michael D Higgins' comments
Former president claimed Ireland was 'sliding' into military alliances and criticised the Government’s move to end UN authorisation for foreign missions

Tue, 27 Oct, 2026

Irish peacekeepers in Lebanon
Helen McEntee witnesses ‘devastating’ impact of Israeli bombardment in southern Lebanon
“It looks like everywhere has been hit by an earthquake, although it’s not an earthquake,” she said

Mon, 26 Oct, 2026

Women of Honour group
Women of Honour want Defence Forces tribunal costs to be paid on a continual basis
High Court judge to hear appeal as group brands State's decision to pay for the Defence Forces and Department of Defence costs as unfair

Mon, 26 Oct, 2026

Helen McEntee Helen McEntee comments
Defence Forces to be involved in 'peace enforcement' if Ireland joins EU's mission in Lebanon
Foreign affairs minister Helen McEntee wants Ireland to be involved in the recently sanctioned EU mission to provide support to the Lebanese Armed Forces

Sun, 25 Oct, 2026

Peacekeepers to Lebanon
Defence Forces instructed to provide directives given to military police investigating abuse
The order has been made ahead of next Wednesday's resumption of public hearings of the Defence Forces Tribunal into allegations around the suicide of a teenage apprentice and the rapes of male and female soldiers

Thu, 22 Oct, 2026

Simon Harris visit to Lebanon
Dáil votes to abolish the Triple Lock by 79 votes to 71 following hours of tetchy debates
The Triple Lock says a Government decision, Dáil approval, and a UN mandate are required to send more than 12 Defence Forces personnel overseas.

Wed, 21 Oct, 2026

Defence Forces strength 'still less than' 70% of target 
Defence Forces strength 'still less than' 70% of target 
Conference hears call for further recruitment and retention initiatives, including a 'significant improvement' in cadets' pay, better pension arrangements for post 2013 personnel, and a review of specialist pay'

Wed, 21 Oct, 2026

Government Trade Forum
Helen McEntee: Triple lock not working for Ireland
Ukraine facing 'darkest winter', defence minister tells Representative Association of Commissioned Officers annual conference

Wed, 21 Oct, 2026

Defence Forces facing 'looming retention crisis' over removal of supplementary pension
Defence Forces facing 'looming retention crisis' over removal of supplementary pension
In the first class of recruits in 2013, more than 50% have left the organisation after serving 12 years — with the pension problem cited as the reason, conference hears

Tue, 20 Oct, 2026

Court of Appeal to hear former prison officer’s case
Court of Appeal to hear former prison officer’s case
Seán O’Brien was shot at while trying to stop a prisoner escaping from jail nearly 40 years ago

Fri, 16 Oct, 2026

As it happened: More than 300,000 public sector workers strike as union sees 'pathway to talks'
As it happened: More than 300,000 public sector workers strike as union sees 'pathway to talks'
Follow our live updates as a nationwide public service strike impacts schools, hospitals, local authorities and government services across Ireland

Wed, 14 Oct, 2026

MTU researchers and Defence Forces nullify simulated cyberattack on Irish port in exercise
MTU researchers and Defence Forces nullify simulated cyberattack on Irish port in exercise
Hybrid warfare has become an increasingly effective tool to wreak havoc, with cyberattacks now capable of quickly paralysing critical infrastructure

Mon, 12 Oct, 2026

The cables beneath the sea carry our digital lives. What happens when something goes wrong?
S The cables beneath the sea carry our digital lives. What happens when something goes wrong?
From the first transatlantic telegraph to modern fibre-optic networks, Ireland’s connections bring economic benefits and growing security responsibilities

Sat, 10 Oct, 2026

Concept image of cables and connections for data transfer in the digital world.3d rendering.
Abundance of US multinationals leaves Ireland prone to undersea cable attacks, expert says
If data connectivity were disrupted through undersea cables being damaged or cut, experts have warned it could disrupt financial and communications systems

Fri, 09 Oct, 2026

EU defence ministers meeting
Minister admits end of Lebanon peacekeeping missions will likely lead to Defence Forces exodus
The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) mission will finish by the end of the year following the failure of the United Nations Security Council to renew its mandate

Wed, 07 Oct, 2026

The spin and misinformation around the triple lock is eye-watering
The spin and misinformation around the triple lock is eye-watering
Suggesting there is ‘no link’ between the triple lock and our neutral status is akin to suggesting there is no link between the steering wheel and the brakes on a car, writes Senator Tom Clonan 

Wed, 07 Oct, 2026

Budget 2027: The main takeaways
Budget 2027: The main takeaways
Tax, housing, childcare, health, welfare and transport all feature in the Government's latest budget package. Here's a quick guide to the main announcements

Tue, 06 Oct, 2026

Budget 2027: Funding for 1,000 additional gardaí and 200 prison officers
Budget 2027: Funding for 1,000 additional gardaí and 200 prison officers
Budget 2027 also includes funding for youth justice, domestic violence initiatives, courts modernisation and alternatives to prison

Tue, 06 Oct, 2026

Fianna Fail think in - Tullamore
Budget 2027: €108m rise in mental health funding to include six more 'solace cafes'
Mental health budget agreed by Mary Butler is rising 7% to €1.657bn, including the rollout of more solace cafes after the success of such initiatives in Galway and Limerick

Mon, 05 Oct, 2026

Ukraine turns down offer of €20m fleet of armoured vehicles from Defence Forces
Ukraine turns down offer of €20m fleet of armoured vehicles from Defence Forces
When the vehicles were withdrawn from active duty, the Defence Forces 'made an offer' to donate the vehicles to the Ukrainian armed forces, but 'this was declined as the fleet was deemed unsuitable for their requirements', report shows

Wed, 30 Sep, 2026

Former Defence Forces officer accused of altering medical records
Former Defence Forces officer accused of altering medical records
Changes allegedly led to former captain being de-selected for overseas service

Mon, 28 Sep, 2026

Taoiseach Micheal Martin visit to UK
Taoiseach says abolishing 'Triple Lock' is essential to retain peacekeeping tradition
The Government is pressing ahead with controversial legislation that would drop the requirement to get UN Security Council approval before sending peacekeeping troops abroad

Sun, 27 Sep, 2026

Gracanica Serbian Orthodox monastery, Kosovo
Two Kosovos: The young, confident capital and the communities still living with the past
From Pristina’s vibrant streets to fading Irish peacekeeping camps, Kosovo’s competing histories remain impossible to ignore

Fri, 25 Sep, 2026

Irish Navy takes part in EU's first live test of 'next-generation' maritime surveillance system
Irish Navy takes part in EU's first live test of 'next-generation' maritime surveillance system
The new system will assist in spotting and tracking suspect vessels, including those linked to sanctioned Russian oil transports

Fri, 25 Sep, 2026

Ireland to acquire long-range radar systems from French military 
Ireland to acquire long-range radar systems from French military 
The acquisition of the 'Thales' radars was signed with the procurement arm of the French ministry for the armed forces

Fri, 18 Sep, 2026

Security for Donald Trump's visit to Ireland
Air Corps '50% short' of technicians; forced to spend €2.3m on external contractors in 2025
Gerard Guinan, general secretary of PDFORRA, said: 'An Air Force cannot remain truly sovereign if it becomes increasingly dependent on foreign contractors to maintain, support and sustain its aircraft.'

Thu, 17 Sep, 2026

Reserve Defence Force
Defence spend to 'double' to €3bn by 2028, claims minister
Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs Neale Richmond made the remarks during a television debate

Thu, 17 Sep, 2026

Irish Examiner view: Authority requires respect
Irish Examiner view: Authority requires respect
Both our Defence Forces and the gardaí derive a large part of their authority from the respect and belief the Irish people have for them

Thu, 17 Sep, 2026

Defence Forces Tribunal to hear complaints of intimidation and retaliation from October
Defence Forces Tribunal to hear complaints of intimidation and retaliation from October
The second module will examine whether complaints were discouraged and hear allegations of intimidation, retaliation and reprisals

Wed, 16 Sep, 2026

Russian military exercises off coast of Ireland
Neutrality is not a shield: Ireland is not ready for the next spy 
Ireland, with its technology multinationals, intellectual property and seat at the EU table, is a target of real and growing interest to hostile states like Russia, writes Tony Geraghty, retired commander of the Irish Naval Service

Wed, 16 Sep, 2026

Limerick hospital prepares rooms and operating theatre for possible Trump emergency
Limerick hospital prepares rooms and operating theatre for possible Trump emergency
US embassy officials have visited the hospital as staff prepare for a possible medical emergency involving the president during his Doonbeg visit

Fri, 11 Sep, 2026

Phoenix Park Security for Trump
Focus on 'fixated individuals' and 'external threats' for Donald Trump visit
Gardaí and Defence Forces are preparing for protests, drone incursions and potential cyber threats during the president’s visit

Fri, 11 Sep, 2026

Donald Trump visit to Ireland
Taoiseach says offshore counter-drone technology being pursued ahead of Trump visit
Micheál Martin says Ireland has strengthened its counter-drone capabilities as security preparations intensify for the US president’s visit

Wed, 09 Sep, 2026

Rise in Navy strength 'too slow' to reach Government target, officers' association says
Rise in Navy strength 'too slow' to reach Government target, officers' association says
Representatives say defence being done 'on the cheap' and call for €2bn budget

Tue, 08 Sep, 2026

Shoulder patch of a soldier from the Irish Army on camouflaged uniform.
Irish Examiner view: Defence is about people, not hardware
Ireland stands at a crossroads. Throwing millions at shiny hardware is not the answer while our barracks sit empty

Fri, 04 Sep, 2026

EU Flags Flying at the European Commission Building Brussels Belgium
'EU’s ability to respond to a foreign invasion by 2030 remains in doubt'
European court of auditors says the EU is much better prepared than before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine of 2022, but achieving its goal of defence readiness by the end of the decade would be difficult

Thu, 03 Sep, 2026

Charity to convert Cork City building into live-in facility for homeless Defence Forces veterans
Charity to convert Cork City building into live-in facility for homeless Defence Forces veterans
Building in St Luke’s, Cork, will operate as a homeless shelter that accommodates up to six former members of the Defence Forces

Thu, 03 Sep, 2026

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