Army officer takes up Red Cross mission

ONE of the country’s most senior army officers is to take up a key international Red Cross mission which will see him keeping a close eye on thousands of prison detainees.

Commandant Martin McDermott is packing his bags in Kilkenny and will leave for the Philippines on November 6 on a key prisons mission.

The senior member of the Irish Defence Forces will work with the Red Cross, ensuring that thousands of people held in prisons are treated humanely and have access to basic goods and services.