Defence Forces to recruit up to 900 before end of the year

Up to 900 new members are to be recruited to the Irish Defence Forces before the end of the year, in order to maintain numbers at 9,500.

Justice Minister Alan Shatter yesterday launched a recruitment campaign for up to 400 personnel for the Permanent Defence Forces and up to 500 for the Reserve. The recruits will be for both the Army and the Naval Service.

A Defence Forces spokesman said the recruitment will be run through a centralised online application system on its website, military.ie.