There seems no end to the trouble being caused to Fine Gael by what we might term, for the purposes of this column, the “little people”.

The two representative associations for the Defence Forces are set to have their national executive meeting within days to consider the fall-out from the Public Service Pay Commission (PSPC) report.

More than 1,400 officers and personnel have left the military in the past year, the vast majority of them voluntarily, according to the association representing defence forces officers.

There are critical shortages of officers in all sections of the Defence Forces, forcing junior officers to act up and becoming overstressed, while others are often "double and treble-jobbing" to cover the gaps.

The former deputy commander of the elite Irish special forces says the Minister with responsibility for Defence and his senior civil servants should resign because they are running the country's military into the ground.

A man on trial at the Special Criminal Court gave no reply when asked by gardaí to account for the presence of 150kg of explosives in a car in which he was a front seat passenger, the court has heard.

Moving to year-round recruitment won’t solve the ever-decreasing numbers in the Defence Forces and it’s being claimed it’s akin to “rearranging the deckchairs on a still sinking Titanic.”

Plugging gaps with limited resources could lead to deaths in the Defence Forces and a worst-case scenario, as the number of officers quitting continues to rise.

Plugging gaps with limited resources could lead to deaths in the Defence Forces and a worst-case scenario, as the number of officers quitting continues to rise.

Officers in the Defence Forces feel betrayed by their employers, because military personnel were left out of “side deals” given to gardaí, prison officers, and firefighters as part of the latest Lansdowne Road pay agreements.

A legend, a leader, a braveheart, a kind, loving and spiritual man were among the accolades used to describe Willie Duggan at his funeral Mass, when more than 1,000 people gathered to say farewell to a giant of Irish and international rugby.

An Air Corps official has rejected claims that inspection reports at the centre of legal cases against the State were deliberately destroyed, describing the allegations as malicious, writes Joe Leogue.

An Air Corps official has rejected claims that inspection reports at the centre of legal cases against the State were deliberately destroyed, describing the allegations as malicious.

Angela Lansbury is just one of the notable previous owners of this intriguing home, writes Trish Dromey.

The State is facing at least six separate legal actions from former members of the air corps who allege they have suffered serious illnesses as a result of “chronic exposure” to the chemicals they came in contact with as a part of their daily duties.

A well-organised and determined campaign, set against the background of a presidential election, helped farmers secure a fairer price for their milk 50 years ago, writes Ray Ryan

The exodus of officers from the Defence Forces continues and, if it is not addressed, it could seriously affect its operating capabilities.

The proposed incinerator in Ringaskiddy in Cork Harbour could present a risk of fatal injury to helicopter crews, and an incident at the plant could effectively cut off the Haulbowline Naval Base, according to the Department of Defence.

One in 10 officers has resigned from the Defence Forces in the past two years after becoming disillusioned with the job.

Officials pull out all the stops for more than 30 sick children from Mercy University Hospital.

Joe Walsh, the former agriculture minister who was acclaimed as being equally at home in the parish hall or in the gilded buildings of Brussels, was laid to rest yesterday.

Joe Walsh, the former Agriculture Minister who was acclaimed as being equally at home in the parish hall or in the gilded buildings of Brussells, was laid to rest today.

“I’ll be the last man standing,” declared retired Irish army sergeant Michael Kelly ahead of today’s 75th anniversary commemoration of the handover of the Treaty Ports from the British.

Adventurer Ian McKeever took “the road less travelled”, mourners at his requiem Mass were told.

Bereaved families of three Irish soldiers killed by a landmine in Lebanon 22 years ago said they have finally been vindicated.

A WIDOW and her four adult sons had a miraculous escape from death early yesterday when a pipe bomb exploded after it was thrown through the front window of a house in Rathkeale, Co Limerick.

THE great world spins towards another All-Ireland Sunday. Around the world – for an hour or two at least – Irish feet will not make footprints on the fine sands of southeast Asia’s beaches.

The Court Martial Appeal Court has ordered “a stay” on the dismissal of an Air Corp officer from the Defence Forces, pending the outcome of an appeal against his conviction for calling a Lt Col “a little p***k”.

AN Air Corps officer who pulled a wounded colleague to safety following a shooting was yesterday dismissed from the Defence Forces after a court martial found him guilty of calling a superior officer a “little prick”.

Flooding, ice and a drinking water outage caused chaos across Cork city and county today.

TWO Air Corps pilots were killed after their light aircraft crashed in Connemara, Co Galway, last evening during a training mission.

EFFORTS to free kidnapped aid worker Sharon Commins intensified last night amid growing uncertainty about those responsible for the abduction.

BROADCASTER Pat Kenny wiped back tears as he bid an emotional farewell to his late mother at her funeral Mass in Dublin.

The army is about to embark on one of the UN’s most difficult missions, writes Sean O’Riordan.

IRISH troops have had more than 200 encounters with armed bandits and have come under fire while defending refugee camps in Chad, the mid-term review of the mission to the embattled African state has been told.

In the complex, long-running war the real peacekeeper’s weapon can be an understanding of human nature and some good communication skills

IRISH troops came under fire from rebel groups in Chad where they are protecting refugee camps close to the Darfur border.

IN TEMPERATURES of up to 55°C and in one of the most dangerous parts of the world, members of the Irish army were among the first to vote in the Lisbon treaty referendum.

Captain David O'Brien finally put his foot on the pedal today after months of preparation with his new ride Mo Chroi, and won the big 1m50 speed class at Maubeuge, France.

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.

DEFENCE Minister Willie O’Dea will meet military chiefs in Paris today ahead of theexpected deployment of Irish and international troops to Chad next week.

THE man in charge of Collins Barracks, Cork has been given the most senior rank ever attained by an Irish Army officer and at the same time appointed guardian of 50,000 refugees who have fled fighting in Darfur.