Gardaí investigating 'deeply shocking' claims ex-Defence Forces training troops in Libya

The Defence Forces confirmed have now called in gardaí to examine claims that the former serving personnel engaged in weapons training in Irish army fatigues contrary to an ongoing UN arms and arms-related embargo in Libya. File picture

The Government and gardaí are investigating “deeply shocking” claims former Irish Defence Forces personnel have been training troops loyal to a Libyan army commander.

The Defence Forces confirmed have now called in gardaí to examine claims that the former serving personnel engaged in weapons training in Irish army fatigues contrary to an ongoing UN arms and arms-related embargo in Libya.

The claims appeared in an Irish Times article which reported former members of the elite Army Ranger Wing are alleged to have been training troops loyal to Field Marshall Khalifa Haftar.

It has been alleged that a company run by Irish ex-special forces soldiers flew highly-skilled soldiers from Ireland to Libya’s city of Benghazi where they joined other special forces trainers from other jurisdictions.

The company, which is also involved in security-related contracts in Ireland, is understood to have been contracted to train members of Haftar’s Libyan National Army infantry brigade made up of militias and Russian mercenaries.

A Defence Forces spokesperson said it has "actively engaged" with gardaí on the matter.

"The Defence Forces is always disappointed if its former members act in a way that is at odds with our ethos and values.” 

Regarding claims former soldiers dressed in Irish Defence Forces army fatigues, the spokesperson said that personnel are required to return all Defence Forces issued kit and equipment on their discharge from the organisation.

“No civilian personnel are entitled to wear Defence Forces attire or insignia and it is a criminal offence to impersonate a member of the Defence Forces.”

Tánaiste Micheál Martin has asked the Department of Enterprise to investigate the extent to which the allegations constitute a breach of the UN’s military training embargo in Libya.

Mr Martin is also considering whether new laws are needed on what serving and former Defence Forces personnel can and can’t do in countries with UN arms and training embargoes in place.

The article also referenced a claim that one of the soldiers working as a trainer in Libya was still enlisted with the Irish Defence Forces pending their discharge.

The Irish Examiner has since learned there may well have been more than one member serving in Libya, where Haftar operates against the UN-backed government in place.

A spokesperson for Mr Martin, who is also the Defence Minister, said: “The alleged breaches of UN and EU sanctions in the manner outlined in the report are deeply shocking and cause reputational damage to Ireland and our Defence Forces.

“No Irish citizen should knowingly be involved in activities that breach these sanctions, least of all former members of the Defence Forces.

“The high level of training and proficiency gained by members of the Defence Forces should never be used in circumstances such as those found in eastern Libya, nor for supporting the forces of Khalifa Haftar.

“The Tánaiste has spoken with the (Defence Forces) Chief of Staff to outline his deep concern at the matters alleged in this report, which need to be examined further.”

He added: “The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has confirmed it has now commenced an investigation into these allegations as the relevant competent authority. This investigation is at an early stage and all avenues will be pursued.”