Air corps and navy short nearly one fifth of the personnel they require

The Government has been warned unless the situation is reversed, the Defence Forces will find it “increasingly difficult” to carry out its various roles in protecting State security, fisheries, and mounting anti-drugs operations and overseas peacekeeping missions. File picture: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie

The true extent of the hollowing out of the Defence Forces has been laid bare, with the air corps and naval service now short nearly one fifth of the personnel they require with the army down by nearly 10%.

The Government has been warned unless the situation is reversed, the Defence Forces will find it “increasingly difficult” to carry out its various roles in protecting State security, fisheries, and mounting anti-drugs operations and overseas peacekeeping missions.