Defence Forces tell North Cork residents late-night shells training is ‘essential’

The Defence Forces has said that late-night exercises involving the firing of shells in North Cork leading led to complaints about noise are “an essential part of military training”.

People in areas surrounding Kilworth Barracks — including Fermoy and Mitchelstown — reported loud booming noises and flashes of light in the sky late on Thursday.

While used to manoeuvres in and around Kilworth, the noise level surprised locals, some of whom contacted the Irish Examiner and took to social media to complain.