A tenth of frontline soldiers left their jobs in the last 12 months

The Defence Forces concede that 'recruitment and retention are an ongoing challenge' leaving the army with little more than 6,000 personnel whereas it is supposed to have a minimum of 7,520. Stock picture

Around a tenth of the army’s frontline soldiers left the job in the last 12 months, while there continues to be hemorrhaging of personnel in the air corps and navy, according to figures released to the Irish Examiner.

They conclusively show the Defence Forces is struggling to replace those who’ve left and that drastic action is urgently needed to reverse the continuing decline of the country’s military.