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#Defence Forces

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>Robert McCabe has been appointed to lead the new maritime security research project at the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) at Ringaskiddy in Cork Harbour. Picture: Larry Cummins</p>

spotlight

Meet the man tasked with getting to grips with Ireland’s maritime security

Robert McCabe, who is leading the new maritime security research project at the NMCI, says events in the Middle East and closer to home underline the international importance of that work

<p>Robert McCabe has been tasked by the Government to examine, test, and bolster the country’s maritime security. He said the Russian shadow fleet poses both a security threat and an environmental hazard. Picture: Larry Cummins</p>

news

Critical marine infrastructure needs to be strengthened as 'no one can predict what's going to happen'

<p class="contextmenu Body Body">Enterprise minister Peter Burke will bring a memo to Cabinet today to delete part of the Science and Technology Act 1987 requiring the IDA and Enterprise Ireland to secure Government approval prior to engaging or supporting Irish SMEs who may be involved in the defence sector. File picture: Collins</p>

news

Government to scrap approval requirements for working with companies involved in defence

Defence Forces must pay deserving cadets their true worth

comment-analysis

Defence Forces must pay deserving cadets their true worth

close-up low angle view of steel framework of high voltage tower pole

news

Hybrid attack on Ireland's critical infrastructure 'could cause social collapse within 48 hours'

Report into premature deaths of air corps personnel to be given to defence minister in two weeks

news

Report into premature deaths of air corps personnel to be given to defence minister in two weeks

Drugs seizure on cargo ship

New law would permit Irish Defence Forces board vessels 200 nautical miles from coast

The plan is to extend control far beyond Ireland’s territorial waters — within 12 nautical miles of the coast — to cover all of its Exclusive Economic Zone

Wed, 11 Mar, 2026

GAVIN TOBIN

Promises, warnings, and 115 deaths: The air corps toxic chemicals controversy

Despite repeated warnings, rising litigation and more than 100 suspected premature deaths, air corps survivors say they are still fighting for answers and support almost a decade after the then taoiseach promised action, writes Neil Michael

Mon, 09 Mar, 2026

1/4/2018. 1916 Easter Rising Commemorations

Exposure to toxic chemicals in the air corps: 'I hate that my life feels over at 53'

Years of exposure to toxic chemicals while serving in the air corps have left Mick Murphy practically bed-ridden

Mon, 09 Mar, 2026

GAVIN TOBIN

Former Air Corps member's long court battle for 13,500 documents on chemicals he was exposed to

'I do remember one pair of communal goggles, one communal apron, and one pair of communal gloves in engine repair flight. But the goggles and apron were so dirty you would get contaminated just putting them on.'

Mon, 09 Mar, 2026

Soldier who blew whistle on bullying left to man phone that never rings

Government plan to abolish Triple Lock not a 'done deal' opponents claim

The Government's plan to abolish Ireland's Triple Lock is not a “done deal” and can be stopped, according to speakers at a webinar organised by the campaigning platform Uplift.

Thu, 05 Mar, 2026

Construction starts for Army Special Forces HQ

Construction starts for Army Special Forces HQ

Government has signed a contract worth almost €18m for construction of the first stage of a modern facility for elite armed intervention unit

Wed, 04 Mar, 2026

Priest stabbed in Galway

Defence Force's chaplain stabbed in knife attack urges parents to monitor children's online activity

A 16-year-old boy, a convert to Islam, carried out a sustained attack on Fr Murphy using an eight-inch serrated hunting knife

Wed, 04 Mar, 2026

Distinguished Service Medal presentation

Soldiers honoured for role in tackling terror attack at barracks

Defence Forces' chaplain stabbed during incident at Renmore Barracks in Galway in August 2024 - but situation could have been much worse

Tue, 03 Mar, 2026

Alan Kearney: Ireland's navy needs backing, not bureaucracy

Alan Kearney: Ireland's navy needs backing, not bureaucracy

The new maritime security strategy shows ambition but more commitment is needed before this framework can be seen as much more than political posturing

Mon, 02 Mar, 2026

Government warns 20,000 Irish citizens in Middle East against perilous land escape routes

Government warns 20,000 Irish citizens in Middle East against perilous land escape routes

Airports in the UAE are closed, and air traffic is heavily restricted across much of the region, although airports in Oman and Saudi Arabia remain open

Sun, 01 Mar, 2026

Up to 20,000 Irish citizens in Middle East as Defence Forces monitor worsening crisis

Up to 20,000 Irish citizens in Middle East as Defence Forces monitor worsening crisis

Concerns are focused on the possibility of military action by the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia against Israel, which is sure to result in devastating Israeli response, potentially putting Unifil troops at risk

Sun, 01 Mar, 2026

Government monitoring risks to Irish troops amid Middle East escalation

Government monitoring risks to Irish troops amid Middle East escalation

Ministers monitor risks to Irish peacekeepers and citizens as fears grow of wider Middle East escalation

Sat, 28 Feb, 2026

GAVIN TOBIN

Defence Forces to probe air purifier service history after safety concerns raised

Whistleblower raised concerns with Air Corps about an air purifier whose manufacturer described it as 'long obsolete'

Sat, 28 Feb, 2026

Public health expert calls for probe into 400 Air Corps deaths

Public health expert calls for probe into 400 Air Corps deaths

Professor Anthony Staines says premature death rates among Air Corps personnel appear unusually high and warrant a formal occupational health study

Thu, 26 Feb, 2026

Minister adds to confusion on timeline for counter-drone defences

Minister adds to confusion on timeline for counter-drone defences

Defence minister Helen McEntee also said her department is exploring options around French or British military using force in Irish waters during Ireland's EU presidency

Thu, 26 Feb, 2026

Private Sean Rooney inquest

Preliminary inquest hearing into soldier Seán Rooney's Lebanon death held partly in private

Discussed matters which the Defence Forces claim are 'extremely sensitive' security issues

Thu, 26 Feb, 2026

Maritime security strategy aims to restore sight to Ireland's 'seablindness'

Maritime security strategy aims to restore sight to Ireland's 'seablindness'

Focus and ambition of Ireland's first ever national maritime security strategy praised, but concerns over lack of detail on international cooperation, actual implementation and capacity and capabilities of the Defence Forces

Thu, 26 Feb, 2026

'Urgent' legislation proposed to allow Defence Forces to board Russian shadow vessels

'Urgent' legislation proposed to allow Defence Forces to board Russian shadow vessels

Defence strategy to focus on more cooperation with Britain and France

Wed, 25 Feb, 2026

Ireland stock

Government plans to speed up major infrastructure projects

Public expenditure minister Jack Chambers will tell Cabinet ministers on Tuesday that pre-planning processes are taking as long as four years to complete

Tue, 24 Feb, 2026

Review of the 125th Infantry Battalion

Irish Examiner view: Gaps in security make for worrying reading

It is four years this month since the commission issued its report, a roadmap for transforming the Defence Forces and equipping it with capability to meet current and anticipated security challenges

Tue, 24 Feb, 2026

Cyber Technology Security Protection Screen, Advanced Cloud Data Security System, Futuristic Technology Background, 3d Rendering

Delays, failures, and 'half-funded' plans put Ireland's security in jeopardy

Despite all the incidents and all the analysis and warnings, we don’t have an actual structure in Ireland to counter hybrid threats

Mon, 23 Feb, 2026

Close Up of a Professional Office Specialist Working on Desktop Computer in Modern Technological Monitoring Control Room with Di

Growing calls for Ireland to set up an EU presidency security task force

There are calls for An Garda Síochána, the Defence Forces, and other agencies to co-ordinate security ahead of Ireland’s presidency of the EU

Mon, 23 Feb, 2026

Colin Sheridan: Defence Forces funding increase must not erode Ireland’s neutrality

Colin Sheridan: Defence Forces funding increase must not erode Ireland’s neutrality

Former Defence Forces officer, Colin Sheridan, argues Ireland must prioritise human capital and measured policy over reflexive militarisation

Sat, 21 Feb, 2026

Is Ireland drifting from neutrality amid Europe’s €381bn rearmament drive?

Is Ireland drifting from neutrality amid Europe’s €381bn rearmament drive?

As Europe embarks on historic military expansion, Ireland faces mounting pressure to reconsider neutrality and defence spending priorities

Sat, 21 Feb, 2026

Managing retention and exit of personnel is key to resolving Defence Forces staffing issue

Managing retention and exit of personnel is key to resolving Defence Forces staffing issue

Private industry swoops in to hire highly-trained members of the Defence Forces. So the taxpayer is paying for that training while industry captures the return, writes Tony Geraghty

Wed, 18 Feb, 2026

'Horseplay' and explosion among 138 incidents that lead to Defence Forces injuries in two years

'Horseplay' and explosion among 138 incidents that lead to Defence Forces injuries in two years

The military said of the 138 reportable incidents in 2024 and 2025, 16 were classified as major and 122 as moderate

Mon, 16 Feb, 2026

Mick Clifford: Alan Kearney case has all the hallmarks of a miscarriage of justice

Mick Clifford: Alan Kearney case has all the hallmarks of a miscarriage of justice

The case of Alan Kearney highlights a dearth of accountability for the Defence Forces

Mon, 16 Feb, 2026

Defence Forces Ombudsman does not have power to investigate case of commandant denied promotion

Defence Forces Ombudsman does not have power to investigate case of commandant denied promotion

Before charges were laid on Alan Kearney, he was the leading candidate to fill the position of Captain of the Guard in Leinster House

Sun, 15 Feb, 2026

Distinguished Service Medal presentation

Defence Forces honour army chaplain who survived stabbing and forgave his attacker

Fr Paul Murphy's distinguished service medal recognises his strength and dignity during and after the stabbing at Renmore Barracks in Galway

Thu, 12 Feb, 2026

Cadet commissioning ceremony

Strength of Defence Forces rises in 2025, but remains well short of targets

The total strength of the Defence Forces stood at 7,756 at the end of 2025

Tue, 10 Feb, 2026

Dublin Airport passenger cap to be scrapped

Dublin Airport passenger cap to be scrapped

Cabinet will also hear plans for the basic income for the arts, infrastructure guidelines, the living city initiative, and recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces

Tue, 10 Feb, 2026

Minister to look at European ruling on public holiday allowances and overtime for Defence Forces

Minister to look at European ruling on public holiday allowances and overtime for Defence Forces

In a statement the department of defence said the minister, Helen McEntee, 'notes' the findings that Ireland is in breach of a European charter

Mon, 09 Feb, 2026

Taoiseach warns against enshrining Irish neutrality in the Constitution

Taoiseach warns against enshrining Irish neutrality in the Constitution

The Taoiseach argues a Constitutional guarantee of neutrality could restrict Ireland’s defence and peacekeeping capabilities, citing the triple lock

Sat, 07 Feb, 2026

58th UNIFIL Battalion at Dublin Airport 1986

Ireland is buying defence capability, without confronting what that actually requires

Ireland’s defence culture prioritises reassurance over coercion — a model increasingly misaligned with Europe’s deteriorating security environment

Tue, 03 Feb, 2026

ieExplains: What is the triple lock — and why the Government wants to abolish it

ieExplains: What is the triple lock — and why the Government wants to abolish it

The Government plans to remove UN approval from overseas troop deployments, reshaping Ireland’s long-standing defence and neutrality framework

Tue, 27 Jan, 2026

Simon Harris visit to Lebanon

Cabinet set to dismantle triple lock as it amends laws over deploying Irish troops

Ministers are expected to approve a series of amendments to new laws which would dismantle Ireland’s triple lock system

Mon, 26 Jan, 2026

Outsourcing Ireland's defence carries immediate strategic costs

Outsourcing Ireland's defence carries immediate strategic costs

If we don't exercise our sovereignty in practice, it becomes entirely theoretical — we must defend ourselves

Tue, 20 Jan, 2026

Government must do more to stop Defence Forces members from being lured to private sector

Government must do more to stop Defence Forces members from being lured to private sector

PDFORRA said the Government is ignoring recommendations of a commission it set up, which highlighted the need for enhanced pay for personnel whose skillsets took many years to develop

Sun, 18 Jan, 2026

National Security Strategy still unfinished four years after deadline, experts warn

National Security Strategy still unfinished four years after deadline, experts warn

Experts warn geopolitical instability, cyber threats and war in Ukraine demand urgent completion of Ireland’s first National Security Strategy

Fri, 09 Jan, 2026

Royal Navy shadow Russian ship

Defence spending: Ireland must take security risks seriously

Ireland has one of the lowest rates of military expenditure and capability of any advanced economy — and our position at the edge of Europe is no longer a guarantee of safety

Thu, 08 Jan, 2026

Local authorities won't follow party line on the triple lock

Local authorities won't follow party line on the triple lock

Although the Irish State is praised for having a strong and healthy democracy, the reality is that there are very few actual democratic mechanisms available to the Irish public — and they are often ignored by the Government when convenient

Mon, 29 Dec, 2025

'They are wonderful ambassadors for our country': Taoiseach reflects on visit to Irish soldiers in Lebanon

'They are wonderful ambassadors for our country': Taoiseach reflects on visit to Irish soldiers in Lebanon

During Micheál Martins' recent visit, the troops were keen to send Christmas messages to their families back home, with on Cork soldier adding he hoped for Carrigtwohill to 'drive it on in the hurling'

Tue, 23 Dec, 2025

'Russia was behind drone incursion during Zelenskyy visit' say Irish security sources

'Russia was behind drone incursion during Zelenskyy visit' say Irish security sources

Security agencies believe Russia or its proxies were likely involved, as gaps in Ireland’s air and maritime defences come into focus

Sat, 20 Dec, 2025

Taoiseach 'supportive' of review of healthcare needs of Air Corp personnel exposed to 'dangerous chemicals'

Taoiseach 'supportive' of review of healthcare needs of Air Corp personnel exposed to 'dangerous chemicals'

Review prompted by concerns raised about 'severe health outcomes, including untimely deaths, because of exposure to dangerous chemicals' among former Air Corps maintenance crews and other technicians

Fri, 19 Dec, 2025