Navy commissions its lowest number of officers in three decades

Class Officer Damian Long (right) with the 2024 class of Naval cadets Brendan Morris (centre) and Cameron Clerkin (left) at the 62nd Naval Service Cadet Class Commissioning Ceremony in the Naval Base at Haulbowline, Cork on Friday. Picture: Chani Anderson

Just two new officers were commissioned into the navy at the latest graduation ceremony on Friday — the lowest number since the early 1990s.

There have been up to 10 officers commissioned at a time at previous ceremonies but the commissioning of only two on this occasion has served to highlight the recruitment crisis in the navy.

The force now has around 700 personnel, whereas it should have a minimum of 1,094.

Naval cadets Brendan Morris and Cameron Clerkin celebrating their graduation to Officer class at the 62nd Naval Service Cadet Class Commissioning Ceremony on Friday. Picture: Chani Anderson

The personnel crisis added to mechanical issues have resulted in just one ship being on patrol since the beginning of the year covering a national maritime Economic Exclusion Zone (EEZ) of 200 nautical miles, which is the biggest area of its kind in any EU country.

There are US Navy connections with both new officers.

Brendan Morris’s father, Ronan, originally from Dundrum, was in the US Navy from 1990 – 94. He served onboard the USS Kidd when it was deployed in the Gulf War.

Ronan was not an officer and spoke of how proud he was of his son’s achievement in getting to that level.

New Naval Officer Brendan Morris with his girlfriend Niamh Ward at commissioning ceremony on Friday. Picture: Chani Anderson

Brendan, 27, from Blackwater, Co Wexford, said while he “always loved the sea”, his father’s navy experience had a “huge influence” on him joining up.

When he was younger, Brendan worked on a tour boat on the River Liffey. When covid struck and the country went into lockdown, he headed to Mexico where he worked as a deckhand on a ship which operated in the Pacific.

Cameron Clerkin, 20, from Midleton, Co Cork has the navy in his genes.

New Naval Officer Cameron Clerkin (centre) with family and friends, (left to right) Ben Ryan, Luke O’Driscoll, Duncan Walsh, Bob Walsh, Rowena Walsh and David Ryan at the commissioning ceremony on Friday. Picture: Chani Anderson

“My great grandfather on my mother’s side, Pierce MacUbbin, fought with the US Navy during World War Two. He was a medical officer and he fought in both the Atlantic and Pacific,” Cameron said.

The former student of Midleton College and Kilkenny College joined up straight after leaving school and is a keen hiker and kayaker.

Naval cadets Cameron Clerkin and Brendan Morris celebrating their graduation to Officer class on Friday. Picture: Chani Anderson

Both new officers, who were in what was the navy's 62nd cadet class, completed 22 months of intensive training which was comprised of a diverse selection of subjects such as navigation, seamanship, leadership, communications, marine engineering and naval warfare.

They were presented with their official commissioning scrolls by Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Micheál Martin at a ceremony held at the navy’s headquarters in Haulbowline, Cork.

(Left to right) Flag Officer Commanding the Naval Service, Commodore Michael Malone; Tánaiste andMinister for Defence, Mr Micheál Martin and Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Lt General Séan Clancy at the 62nd Naval Service Cadet Class Commissioning Ceremony in the Naval Base, Haulbowline, Cork on Friday. Picture: Chani Anderson

Mr Martin admitted that the Defence Forces are facing a lot of personnel issues, but he insisted the government is investing in them at an unprecedented rate and part of this involves putting a significant new focus on aiding retention and recruitment.

The ceremony was also attended by the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Sean Clancy, the Flag Officer commanding the Irish Naval Service Commodore Michael Malone and the secretary general of the Department of Defence, Jacqui McCrum.