€865k in taxpayers’ money for cheap army mess drink

Subsidised bars that sell cheap alcohol to Irish Defence Forces personnel have received Government subvention of more than €865,000 in the past three years.

The private bars — based in army barracks across the country — sell pints for as little as €2.60, while spirits such as vodka and gin cost just €1.80.

Records released under the Freedom of Information Act have revealed that €865,707 of taxpayers’ money was used to fund the network of discount watering holes between 2012 and 2014.