Ireland’s national flag will fly over Government Buildings at all times in future under plans to mark the Easter 1916 commemorations as last year’s events have brought a “new respect” for the Tricolour.

Amid the crackle of gunfire, billowing smoke, and explosions from grenades, Irish troops launched a seaborne attack on an enemy stronghold, eventually subduing its defenders.

A soldier was tied up, had barbed wire strung around his toes, and was subjected to a number of electric shocks to his feet and chest as a group of up to 30 of his colleagues looked on.

Former servicemen and women of the Defence Forces will be remembered during a special ceremony in Co Kildare later.

Some army officers with young children may be forced to seek Family Income Supplement because they can’t afford to travel to new postings due to the disbanding of a brigade.

The Army Bomb Disposal Unit is searching for more devices at the scene of a booby-trap car bombing in Co Donegal.

Irish troops serving in Syria were 200 metres from a firefight between Government and anti-government forces.

Commuter trains were disrupted and a busy street closed when a pipebomb was discovered in Dublin’s north inner city today.

Irish troops could be training Somalian armed forces in Mogadishu within months, it emerged today.

The number of women entering the Defence Forces is growing considerably and is something the military wants to encourage.

The front door of a house was blown off its hinges in a suspected pipe bomb attack, it has emerged today.

One of the runways at the Defences Forces’ aerodrome has been shut after it was vandalised overnight.

“Ahhhh, sure the dogs on the street know that the fella who smelt it, dealt it.”

THE Defence Forces has ruled out calls for the suspension of the use of army trucks for moving army personnel following a multi-vehicle collision on the M50 yesterday in which 28 soldiers were injured.