#Defence Forces

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

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

 Listen |
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

Staff shortage may hamper navy fleet plans
Staff shortage may hamper navy fleet plans
Lack of specialist technicians to keep ship engines, electrical systems, and armaments properly functioning

Sun, 07 Sep, 2025

Soldier who blew whistle on bullying left to man phone that never rings
Former peacekeeper says it is wrong for minister to call for Triple Lock removal 
Health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill made the comments while delivering the keynote address at the recent Michael Collins commemoration

Mon, 01 Sep, 2025

‘Ireland will continue to play an outsize role in the United Nations’
‘Ireland will continue to play an outsize role in the United Nations’
Sorcha Crowley spoke with gardaí, soliders, and officials among the many Irish people promoting peace with the UN as it marks its 80th year — work that will continue despite the impending end of Unifil 

Mon, 01 Sep, 2025

Meet the 'ambassadors on horseback' of Ireland's Army Equitation School
Meet the 'ambassadors on horseback' of Ireland's Army Equitation School
As the Army Equitation School nears its centenary, riders reflect on its history, global impact, and mission to champion Irish horses

Sat, 30 Aug, 2025

Colin Sheridan: The end of Unifil is the end of Ireland’s innocence in peacekeeping
Colin Sheridan: The end of Unifil is the end of Ireland’s innocence in peacekeeping
As the UN prepares to end its Unifil mission, Ireland must confront difficult choices about peacekeeping, neutrality and foreign policy identity

Fri, 29 Aug, 2025

End of Ireland's 47-year Unifil mission in Lebanon deemed 'a major setback'
End of Ireland's 47-year Unifil mission in Lebanon deemed 'a major setback'
Chief of Staff said the new challenge for Ireland's Defence Forces move is 'not welcome' — while the defence minister said the US-Israeli move to end the Unifil mission is 'wholly irresponsible'

Fri, 29 Aug, 2025

Simon Harris visit to Lebanon
Tánaiste: Ending Lebanon peacekeeping mission now would be 'wholly irresponsible'
Simon Harris says Ireland remains committed to peacekeeping as the UN extends its mission in volatile Lebanon until 2027

Thu, 28 Aug, 2025

UN Security Council set to renew Lebanon peacekeepers for final time
UN Security Council set to renew Lebanon peacekeepers for final time
UNIFIL patrols Lebanon's southern border with Israel. The mandate for the operation is renewed annually, and its current authorization expires on August 31.

Thu, 28 Aug, 2025

Government to spend €650k on efforts to cut bird and hare strikes at military airbase
Government to spend €650k on efforts to cut bird and hare strikes at military airbase
A Bird Control Unit (BCU) is stationed at the airbase, tasked with keeping the area free of birds and other wildlife with the aim of avoiding strikes that can cause significant damage to aircraft and result in jet engines losing power

Wed, 27 Aug, 2025

ieExplains: What is the triple lock and why is it so important?
ieExplains: What is the triple lock and why is it so important?
This week, the Government is to take the first step in dismantling Ireland's triple lock system that governs the deployment of peacekeepers abroad

Mon, 25 Aug, 2025

Government must restore Irish sovereignty by removing triple lock on peacekeepers, says health minister
Government must restore Irish sovereignty by removing triple lock on peacekeepers, says health minister
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill highlighted how no peacekeeping missions have been sanctioned since 2014

Sun, 24 Aug, 2025

Nearly 13,000 apply as Defence Forces ramp up €2m digital and outdoor recruitment campaign
Nearly 13,000 apply as Defence Forces ramp up €2m digital and outdoor recruitment campaign
Defence Forces invested heavily in online platforms, billboards, and gaming sites in a bid to address long-term recruitment challenges

Wed, 13 Aug, 2025

File Pics Garda Chief Superintendent denies claims of a shortage of garda
Traffic gardaí 'letting their colleagues down' if they aren't 'doing their jobs', says Tánaiste
Simon Harris also confirmed that he will meet with the mother of Pte Sean Rooney who was killed while on UN peacekeeping duty in Lebanon in 2022

Fri, 01 Aug, 2025

Private Sean Rooney inquest
Private Seán Rooney's mother hits out at Tánaiste and Lebanon after sentencing tribunal
"It would perhaps be wise for the Tánaiste to speak to me, before seeking to speak for me, in his public statements," Private Seán Rooney's mother Natasha Rooney stated.

Thu, 31 Jul, 2025

Private Sean Rooney inquest
Main defendant charged with murder of private Seán Rooney sentenced to death
Tánaiste and defence minister Simon Harris said he noted the sentence handed down, along with those handed to a number of the other defendants who had previously not been in court

Mon, 28 Jul, 2025

Government urged to clarify military intelligence powers in new phone tapping legislation
Government urged to clarify military intelligence powers in new phone tapping legislation
Surveillance judge says it’s critical Government modernises laws to define military intelligence powers and cover encrypted digital platforms

Thu, 24 Jul, 2025

National Development Plan allocates almost €4bn for defence and justice capital spends
National Development Plan allocates almost €4bn for defence and justice capital spends
The Government has committed to implement the second of three levels of investment (LOA2), centred on increasing the annual defence budget from €1.1bn in 2022 to €1.5bn in 2028

Tue, 22 Jul, 2025

Defence Forces experts train Nato militaries to counter homemade bomb threats
Defence Forces experts train Nato militaries to counter homemade bomb threats
Bomb experts from Australia and New Zealand joined major Nato countries, such as US, Canada, UK, France, and Germany, at the Ordnance School in the Curragh

Sat, 19 Jul, 2025

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

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