Report shows skills drain in Defence Forces

The Defence Forces experienced a skills drain of 51 members last year, according to its annual report for 2001.

1,004 people left the force during the year, while just 953 joined.

Lieutenant General Colm Mangan said the loss of members is having an ongoing effect on training.

The report also referred to the withdrawal of the Irish peacekeeping battalion from south Lebanon and the ongoing mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea.