Defence Forces veterans are to march on the Dáil to demand the Government respect the loyalty of servicemen and women, and pay them appropriately.

Navy ships are in danger of “grinding to a halt” because there are less than half the number of engine room technicians required to keep them going, an organisation which represents Defences Forces’ personnel claims.

Ireland’s ninth President, Michael D Higgins, was sworn in as Head of State today and urged citizens at home and abroad to have hope and courage in rebuilding the Republic.

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

TRADE unions and associations representing more than 100,000 public servants have reacted angrily to an alleged attempt to gag the military and prevent it from joining with an alliance fighting pay cuts proposed by the McCarthy report.