Watch: Just two new navy officers commissioned — but 11 cadets are now in training 

Newly-commissioned officer Oisín Anderson with his fiancée Helena Parks after the commissioning ceremony of the 63rd Cadet Class at the Naval Base in Haulbowline on Friday. Picture: Dan Linehan

Just two new navy officers received their commissions on Friday, the joint lowest figure since the early 1990s.

In the intervening years it hasn’t been unusual for there to be 10-plus officers at a time passing out from cadet classes.

There were initially five who signed up for the latest cadet class, but three left before completing it.

However, on a more positive note, 11 cadets are currently undergoing officer training and interviews are now ongoing for the next intake.

Both of the newly-commissioned officers are, coincidentally, from Co Sligo.

One of them, Oisín Anderson, who is engaged to Helena Parkes, also from Sligo, should have no problems organising the couple’s big day — before he joined the navy he worked as a wedding and events manager.

Newly-commissioned officers Oisín Anderson and Martin McHale — coincidentally, both from Co Sligo — received their commissions at the Naval Base in Haulbowline in Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan

Helena said that the couple met during covid “doing outdoor dating” and got engaged last Christmas Eve.

However, they haven’t yet set a date for tying the knot as both of them are concentrating on their careers.

Minister of state Jerry Buttimer TD shares a light moment with Commodore Michael Malone, flag officer commanding Naval Service, and newly-commissioned officers Oisín Anderson and Martin McHale at the commissioning ceremony in Haulbowline, Cork, on Friday. Picture: Dan Linehan

Helena previously worked as wedding co-ordinator but is currently working in Dublin. She said their separation between Dublin and Haulbowline due to work commitments “will only make the heart grow fonder”.

Oisín, 25, grew up in Sligo town and holds an honours degree in human resource management from Atlantic Technological University Sligo.

He has a keen interest in automotive engineering, weightlifting and travel.

Family and friends watch the commissioning ceremony of the 63rd Cadet Class at the Naval Base, Haulbowline, Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan

His fellow officer, Martin McHale, 22, who comes from Enniscrone, Co Sligo, knows a thing or two about other countries: Before joining up, he worked for a while as a civil servant with the Department of Foreign Affairs.

After leaving school, Martin worked for a year with the department liaising with Irish diplomats who were working abroad.

He said he was mainly involved in logistical support for them.

Minister of state Jerry Buttimer, deputising for defence minister Simon Harris, inspecting the guard of honour at the commissioning ceremony of the 63rd Cadet Class at the Naval Base, Haulbowline, Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan

“I have a cousin in the army, Captain Ben Moran, who is based at McKee Barracks in Dublin,” Martin said.

He has a deep interest in Irish history, photography, and fitness.

Flag Officer commanding the Naval Service Commodore, Michael Malone, told the two newly-commissioned officers that “leadership requires lifelong study and experiential learning and to practice it requires skill, reflection and imagination.” 

He said that, during their training, all these requirements had proven to be well within their ability.

It was the first time that Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy attended a commissioning ceremony at the naval base in Haulbowline in his capacity as the new Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces.

Newly-commissioned officers Oisín Anderson and Martin McHale throw their hats in the air after the commissioning ceremony of the 63rd Cadet Class at the Naval Base, Haulbowline, Cork. Picture Dan Linehan

Normally such commissioning ceremonies are attended by the minister for defence, but Simon Harris was unavailable due to prior commitments.

Instead, the Government was represented by the minister of State for rural and community development, the Gaeltacht, and Department of Transport, Jerry Buttimer.

He presented the two new officers, who were in the 63rd cadet class, with their commissioning certificates.

Standing for the national anthem during the commissioning ceremony of the 63rd Cadet Class at the Naval Base, Haulbowline, Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan

Mr Buttimer also paid tribute to Commodore Malone who is due to retire as head of the navy before the end of this year.

The two cadets gained valuable experience onboard navy ships and commenced their first year of academic study for a Bachelor of Science in Nautical Science at the nearby National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) in Ringaskiddy.