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#Defence Forces

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>The 58th Unifil Battalion at Dublin Airport returning from a tour of duty in the Lebanon in May 1986. Picture: Independent News and Media/Getty Images</p>

comment-analysis

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

What Ireland cannot do is claim to possess a military force while organising, training, and governing it as though it will never be used. Ireland is not struggling to buy defence equipment. It is struggling to absorb it

<p>The triple lock is a three-step approval process required before Ireland can deploy more than 12 Defence Forces personnel overseas. File picture</p>

politics

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

<p>Irish troops on parade at Camp Shamrock near the Lebanon-Israel border. File picture</p>

news

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

Outsourcing Ireland's defence carries immediate strategic costs

comment-analysis

Outsourcing Ireland's defence carries immediate strategic costs

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

politics

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

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

news

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

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

Naval Service sees rise in recruitment for 2025

Naval Service sees rise in recruitment for 2025

However, the current strength is still well short of its establishment figure

Thu, 18 Dec, 2025

Army bomb squad called to North Cork home after devices discovered

Army bomb squad called to North Cork home after devices discovered

It is understood that the "historical ordnance" devices were found during construction work at the site

Wed, 17 Dec, 2025

State takes delivery of new Government jet

State takes delivery of new Government jet

The Department of Defence signed a deal for the French-made Falcon 6X last year

Tue, 16 Dec, 2025

Former Defence Forces officers say Ireland is under threat and may be at the mercy of drones

Former Defence Forces officers say Ireland is under threat and may be at the mercy of drones

Ireland has been left scrambling to catch up amid the heated geopolitical situation and the emergence of 'hybrid warfare'

Sat, 13 Dec, 2025

Ireland to spend €1.7bn on defence equipment in four years

Ireland to spend €1.7bn on defence equipment in four years

Increased budget to buy a range of items from radar and sonar systems to aircraft and combat vehicles

Thu, 11 Dec, 2025

Ireland will beef up drone defences ahead of assuming EU presidency

Ireland will beef up drone defences ahead of assuming EU presidency

Move comes in the wake of reports of objects in the skies near the flight path of the plane carrying Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy on his recent Dublin visit

Thu, 11 Dec, 2025

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visit to Ireland

Government pledges €300m for defence and anti-drone technology after Zelenskyy visit

Government ramps up defence spending, including €15m for anti-drone systems, after drones were detected near Zelenskyy’s flight

Tue, 09 Dec, 2025

SPAIN-CRIME-DRUGS

'We must match drone and robot tech that criminals and terrorists are using' – Europol

Police forces, including An Garda Síochána, must adapt to fight technology-enabled crime amid the surge of illegal use of drones and robots, according to EU law enforcement agency

Mon, 08 Dec, 2025

Retiring Irish navy chief warns of Cold War-level global threat

Retiring Irish navy chief warns of Cold War-level global threat

Commodore Michael Malone spoke to the 'Irish Examiner' about geopolitical threats — and memories of his 44 years of service including the navy's response to the 1985 Air India disaster

Fri, 05 Dec, 2025

Simon Harris visit to Lebanon

Irish peacekeepers safe after coming under fire in Lebanon

Irish UNIFIL troops escaped injury after coming under small-arms fire near Bint Jbeil, prompting condemnation from defence minister Helen McEntee

Fri, 05 Dec, 2025

hacker

Defence Forces take part in world’s biggest cyber exercise

Nato-led operation included simulated cyberattacks on Ireland’s critical national infrastructure

Wed, 03 Dec, 2025

Defence Forces return home

Tears of joy and singing greet Irish peacekeepers returning from Lebanon

More than 300 Irish troops have spent the last six months serving with the UN in southern Lebanon during a tense period for the Middle East

Tue, 25 Nov, 2025

Defence gaps mean sabotage of gas energy supply could be 'crippling' for Ireland

Defence gaps mean sabotage of gas energy supply could be 'crippling' for Ireland

'Ireland needs military assets — sensors, drones, naval patrol ships, and patrol aircraft — and clear and coordinated leadership'

Thu, 20 Nov, 2025

Pre-Deployment Mission Readiness Exercise, 127th Infantry Battalion,

Dorcha Lee: What the end of Unifil means for Lebanon and for Ireland's Defence Forces

As the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon prepares to wind down, Dorcha Lee examines the prospects for the region — and what the 49-year mission has meant for our Defence Forces

Wed, 12 Nov, 2025

Retired soldier loses appeal after claiming concussion led to sexual assault on colleagues

Retired soldier loses appeal after claiming concussion led to sexual assault on colleagues

Richard Muldarry was convicted of a number of offences following a Court Martial hearing in April 2024

Fri, 07 Nov, 2025

Shoulder patch of a soldier from the Irish Army on camouflaged uniform.

Former army captain who sexually assaulted female soldier loses appeal against dismissal

Ross O'Shea claimed a sexual assault on a female solider was an 'aberration' in an otherwise 'glittering career'

Tue, 04 Nov, 2025

Uisce Éireann to take over wastewater facilities from developers in minister's plan

Uisce Éireann to take over wastewater facilities from developers in minister's plan

Housing minister James Browne has said that he is determined to 'unlock problematic water services infrastructure that is constraining the delivery of homes people need built'

Tue, 04 Nov, 2025

Ireland not using soft EU defence loan fund as markets 'cheaper'

Ireland not using soft EU defence loan fund as markets 'cheaper'

Independent senator said it was 'outrageous; Ireland was not availing of the scheme

Wed, 22 Oct, 2025

Shoulder patch of a soldier from the Irish Army on camouflaged uniform.

Retired Defence Forces members challenge pension cuts after rejoining public service

The Retired Enlisted Members’ Association says pension abatement rules unfairly penalise former Defence Forces personnel rejoining the public service

Tue, 21 Oct, 2025

Irish navy patrols set to increase after years of depleted activity

Irish navy patrols set to increase after years of depleted activity

The Naval Service will carry around 520 patrols this year

Mon, 20 Oct, 2025

Defence Forces charity launches €3.5m housing expansion to support homeless veterans

Defence Forces charity launches €3.5m housing expansion to support homeless veterans

The Defence Forces veterans’ charity aims to raise €500,000 for a major expansion of housing and support services nationwide

Sat, 18 Oct, 2025

‘Ireland is awash with cocaine — we’re losing the battle,’ warns former Navy commander

‘Ireland is awash with cocaine — we’re losing the battle,’ warns former Navy commander

Revenue’s new €9m Customs cutter will patrol Ireland’s southern coast, but experts warn the country is still 'losing the battle' against smugglers

Fri, 17 Oct, 2025

Mercury spill forces closure of Air Corps hangar at Baldonnel airbase

Mercury spill forces closure of Air Corps hangar at Baldonnel airbase

A small mercury spill inside a Baldonnel hangar prompted an immediate safety lockdown and investigation by the Defence Forces

Thu, 16 Oct, 2025

Half of Naval Service officer cadets leave before completing training, conference told

Half of Naval Service officer cadets leave before completing training, conference told

Exodus of cadets a 'huge issue' that 'needs to be rectified immediately', officers' conference told

Wed, 15 Oct, 2025

Officers' association believes target of 11,500 in Defence Forces is 'major challenge'

Officers' association believes target of 11,500 in Defence Forces is 'major challenge'

RACO called for better cadets pay, better pension arrangements and a review of specialist pay and training establishments

Tue, 14 Oct, 2025

Mick Clifford: Some sections of society left shortchanged by 'Big Mac budget'

Mick Clifford: Some sections of society left shortchanged by 'Big Mac budget'

This was a budget more focused on business, and the need to ensure that the economy is equipped for any approaching storm rather than alleviating the worst ravages of poverty, writes Mick Clifford

Tue, 07 Oct, 2025

Denmark Drones

The EU is preparing for war – is Ireland?

With a marine territory 10 times our landmass, and which includes much of the northern hemisphere’s critical subsea cables, Ireland's defence capabilities should be built around maritime capacity, writes Edward Burke

Tue, 07 Oct, 2025

Simon Harris visit to Lebanon

Irish peacekeepers 'safe and accounted for' as Israel drops grenades near Unifil troops in Lebanon

Unifil said peacekeepers at two different locations heard grenades explode near an excavator around 500m away from them at 11.30am on Thursday

Fri, 03 Oct, 2025

Denmark Airport

Ireland will collaborate with other EU states on security amid concern over Russia

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said it made sense for Ireland to work with EU states that have expertise in drones, protection of undersea cables, and cyberattacks

Wed, 01 Oct, 2025

Naval Service recruitment set to rise 65% on last year

Naval Service recruitment set to rise 65% on last year

A total of 84 recruits have been inducted by the end of August, with almost a similar number scheduled to join before the end of the year

Sun, 28 Sep, 2025

Irish navy returns five turtles to warmer waters after they washed up on west coast

Irish navy returns five turtles to warmer waters after they washed up on west coast

The turtles — Cleo, Mara, Tony, Knesaii, and Columbus — were carried aboard the LÉ Samuel Beckett in boxes marked with their names during a short quayside ceremony.

Fri, 26 Sep, 2025

The Mick Clifford Podcast: Retired army officer on effects of criminal investigation

The Mick Clifford Podcast: Retired army officer on effects of criminal investigation

Alan Kearney was a captain in the Irish Defence Forces in 2021, due to be promoted to commandant, when he was removed from his duties and investigated for suspected criminal offences

Listen | Thu, 25 Sep, 2025

Reserve Defence Force

Military reserves warn funding cuts risk collapse of force as Cork TDs press for answers

RDFRA leaders told the Oireachtas that underfunding, unpaid duties, and shrinking numbers threaten the sustainability of Ireland’s reserve forces

Thu, 25 Sep, 2025

Rise in defence funding 'must be maintained' for Ireland's security and reputation

Rise in defence funding 'must be maintained' for Ireland's security and reputation

The 2025–2028 strategy stresses sustained funding, rising personnel needs, and long-delayed security plans as Ireland faces growing global threats

Thu, 25 Sep, 2025

Former Defence Forces chief urges Ireland to hire repair ship to protect subsea cables

Former Defence Forces chief urges Ireland to hire repair ship to protect subsea cables

Ex-Defence Forces chief Mark Mellett says Ireland needs a repair vessel, alert systems, and stronger laws to protect vital subsea cables

Wed, 24 Sep, 2025

Ombudsman probes case of Army officer who endured ‘tortuous’ legal ordeal

Ombudsman probes case of Army officer who endured ‘tortuous’ legal ordeal

Alan Kearney faced ‘a calculated, brutal withdrawal’ when he needed the Defence Forces the most, writes Mick Clifford

Mon, 15 Sep, 2025

Army officer suffered years of ‘distress’ facing criminal charges that have since been dropped

Army officer suffered years of ‘distress’ facing criminal charges that have since been dropped

For more than two and a half years, Commandant Alan Kearney had criminal charges hanging over him — but no evidence was ever produced, and all charges have since been dropped

Sun, 14 Sep, 2025

National Cyber Security Centre takes part in Apex exercise alongside Nato members

National Cyber Security Centre takes part in Apex exercise alongside Nato members

Ireland was one of 25 countries, along with Nato members and partners as well as states from Asia and the Pacific, invited to join the exercise in South Korea

Thu, 11 Sep, 2025

One-sided discussion on Irish neutrality does not serve democracy

One-sided discussion on Irish neutrality does not serve democracy

The political and media focus on mainstream voices around the triple lock and militarism do not represent the views of an overwhelmingly pro-neutrality public

Thu, 11 Sep, 2025