Defence Forces win reprieve over age plan

Members of the Defence Forces who were due to lose their jobs as part of a plan to lower the military’s age profile have won a reprieve.

Defence Minister Simon Coveney wanted to remove privates or corporals from the Defence Forces after 21 years of service.

Many of those affected would have joined up in their late teens or early 20s and the association which represents them maintained that they would be thrown on the scrap heap after gaining massive experience and while still being fit to serve.