As Minister for Defence Simon Coveney reviewed 189 troops at Sarsfield Barracks, Limerick, yesterday, prior to their departure for a six-month tour of duty of the Lebanon, it was a bittersweet occasion for the second-in-command of the 47th Infantry group, Comdt Bryan Carley, and his wife Suzie Lacey.

The biggest outdoor art event ever witnessed in this country takes its first, spectacular step today when a giant grandmother commences a three-day odyssey through the streets of Limerick.

An Irish army private yesterday saluted the ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ spirit of Liverpool which came to the rescue after he and friends were the victims of cruel thieves when on a special mission to Anfield.

Artistic endeavour is reaching such heights in Limerick that planning permission has been sought to make way for one tall event.

Members of the Defence Forces paid poignant tributes in Limerick and Lebanon yesterday to the little girl who soldiers called their “guardian angel”.

An Irish soldier bound for Lebanon as part of the 108th Infantry Battalion UNIFIL intends to get in plenty of shooting practice while in the Middle East.

Defence minister Alan Shatter has been accused of being prejudiced against the Catholic Church over his refusal to allow the army to provide a guard of honour for a procession during the International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin recently.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has called on Alan Shatter to “come clean” on restructuring plans for the Defence Forces.

Concern has been raised that proposed changes to army structures in Cork could impact on the Defence Forces’ ability to help during civil emergencies.

AFTER 26 years of basing their lives around Kickham Barracks in Clonmel, the Lyons family and many others face an uncertain few years following Tuesday’s government decision to close the long-standing institution.

WHILE Michael Noonan has his fingers crossed that NAMA has got its haircut plans right in revaluing assets of troubled developers, the finance minister knows he has got the real deal when it comes to a proper trim.

A MEMBER of the naval service who died in a road accident on Sunday afternoon was buried yesterday with full military honours.

A CASH-STRAPPED solider, who robbed a betting shop located next to Sarsfield Barracks where he was based, had his career saved when a judge bound him to the peace for three years.

RESIDENTS were bracing themselves last night as the lower Shannon threatened to burst its banks for a second day and with Co Clare under a severe flood warning.

AN investigation is continuing into the theft of grenades, blank ammunition and a pellet gun from an army barracks in Limerick city at the weekend.

THE bill for the use of helicopters by ministers has soared by nearly 50% in the past two years.

A CASH-STRAPPED solider was quickly identified after he robbed a betting shop located next to Sarsfield Barracks where he was based, Limerick Circuit Court heard.

A MAN was still being questioned by Limerick gardaí last night in connection with the second murder in the city within a week.

A LIMERICK woman has swapped the drill of the army barracks square for the beat of a London Bobby.

CHILDREN are set to storm the walls of Limerick’s Sarsfield Barracks.

THE mother of a missing Limerickman who may have been murdered has appealed for the return of his body.

DEFENCE Minister Willie O’Dea said yesterday it seemed that about ‘half the Provisional IRA’ was made up of British agents.

DEFENCE Minister Willie O’Dea yesterday announced a €33.5 million upgrade programme for army barracks around the country.

IN the beginning, a handful of peace activists were camped outside Shannon Airport.