Over 30 sailors ask to quit navy in ‘unprecedented’ exodus

More than 30 members of the naval service have asked to apply for discharge from the force in the past month, which has been described as “unprecedented” and “worrying” by their representative organisation.

PDforra, which represents enlisted members of the Defence Forces, said it is concerned at the “wealth of experience” being lost at one end of the scale and the numbers of younger personnel who are jumping ship only a couple of years into their career.

PDforra president Mark Keane said only a couple of the 33 who had so far sought discharge in the past month were eligible for retirement this year.