Here's what it's like to serve abroad with the Defence Forces at Christmas

As the rest of the country downs tools and celebrates together, our men and women overseas are far from forgotten, writes Colin Sheridan

The Irish Defence Forces have certainly become more aware of the welfare of their troops overseas at Christmas. File picture: Colin Keegan / Collins 

There's a scene in Brian de Palma’s movie Carlito’s Way which I think of often. 

Al Pacino, fresh out of prison and determined to go clean on release, says of his incarceration: “A lot of wasted time…a lot of push-ups.”