On This Day: Defence Forces, learner drivers, and violence in the North

Irish naval vessel LÉ Samuel Beckett lies at anchor and is silhouetted against the dawn light in Bullens Bay. File picture; David Creedon / Anzenberger

Twelve months ago, the front page of the Irish Examiner shone a light on the critical staff shortages in the Defence Forces.

Defence Minister Paul Kehoe was criticised for being “asleep at the wheel” after he disclosed that he had not been briefed in advance regarding the navy staff shortages fiasco, which led to two vessels being docked.