Military courts have a backlog of cases after new figures show that just eight courts-martial were held last year following the appointment of a military judge in September.

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”.

John Breslin and Diarmaid MacDermott

Military police are quizzing 40 Army recruits after allegations of harassment at Dublin’s McKee Barracks, it emerged today.