Defence Forces

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

MEP says Irish peacekeepers would be well suited for Gaza stabilisation force

MEP says Irish peacekeepers would be well suited for Gaza stabilisation force

Sun, 26 Oct, 2025

In an interview with BreakingNews.ie, MEP Barry Andrews said Irish peacekeepers would be well-positioned to take part in any Gaza mission
Ireland to keep 'open mind' on sending peacekeepers to Gaza - Tánaiste

Ireland to keep 'open mind' on sending peacekeepers to Gaza - Tánaiste

Tue, 14 Oct, 2025

Tánaiste Simon Harris said: "Being honest, I think it's too premature to determine that answer at the moment
Humphreys questioned on record in Cabinet during RTÉ debate

Humphreys questioned on record in Cabinet during RTÉ debate

Sun, 05 Oct, 2025

Fine Gael presidential candidate Heather Humphreys has defended her record in Cabinet during a televised debate.
Fianna Fáil remove multiple social videos involving Jim Gavin

Fianna Fáil remove multiple social videos involving Jim Gavin

Thu, 02 Oct, 2025

A spokeswoman for the campaign told The Irish Times that there was no attempt to politicise anyone and it had removed the video “out of an abundance of caution”.
Ireland ‘eager to assist’ if peacekeeping mission required in Ukraine

Ireland ‘eager to assist’ if peacekeeping mission required in Ukraine

Sun, 28 Sep, 2025

But Tánaiste Simon Harris said there is ‘no sign or sight’ of a peace agreement being struck in the near future.
Jim Gavin ‘did not see any bullying or sexism’ in Defence Forces

Jim Gavin ‘did not see any bullying or sexism’ in Defence Forces

Thu, 25 Sep, 2025

The Fianna Fáil presidential candidate held roles including a commissioned officer and a military pilot over a 20-year career.
Coroner calls for military fitness to be 'decoupled' from career progression after soldier took his own life

Coroner calls for military fitness to be 'decoupled' from career progression after soldier took his own life

Thu, 18 Sep, 2025

Her remarks were made at the conclusion of an inquest into the death of an army corporal who took his own life in the Curragh Camp last year.
Defence Forces donates 34 vehicles, three robots to Ukrainian army

Defence Forces donates 34 vehicles, three robots to Ukrainian army

Thu, 18 Sep, 2025

The Irish Defence Forces have donated 34 vehicles and three de-mining robots to the Ukrainian army
'Taoisigh and tánaistes decide': Government criticised over defence 'underinvestment'

'Taoisigh and tánaistes decide': Government criticised over defence 'underinvestment'

Fri, 29 Aug, 2025

While there have been some increases in defence spending, they are "window dressing" and need to be accelerated dramatically, according to a former TD and deputy commander of the Army Ranger Wing
'Important' peacekeeping forces remain in Lebanon, says TD

'Important' peacekeeping forces remain in Lebanon, says TD

Tue, 26 Aug, 2025

The former Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Mark Mellett has warned that Lebanon could turn into Gaza if the Unifil peacekeeping forces do not remain in place.
Defence Forces spend almost €2m on social media and advertising to boost recruitment

Defence Forces spend almost €2m on social media and advertising to boost recruitment

Wed, 13 Aug, 2025

The DF said €1.91 million had been spent reaching audiences through Facebook, TikTok, outdoor billboards, and even a streaming service popular with video gamers.
Appeal lodged in Lebanon over leniency of sentences in Seán Rooney killing

Appeal lodged in Lebanon over leniency of sentences in Seán Rooney killing

Tue, 12 Aug, 2025

A formal appeal over the leniency of the sentences of those indicted for the murder of Private Sean Rooney has been lodged, the Tanaiste has said.
No justice over murder of my son, says mother of Private Seán Rooney

No justice over murder of my son, says mother of Private Seán Rooney

Thu, 31 Jul, 2025

Natasha Rooney said she wanted to express her family’s ‘extreme disappointment and heartbreak’ at recent court proceedings in Lebanon.
Committee calls for clarity on Government proposals to change triple lock

Committee calls for clarity on Government proposals to change triple lock

Wed, 30 Jul, 2025

The defence committee has asked for a definition for ‘strengthening international security’ in the context of deploying Irish troops abroad.
Seán Rooney: Defendants ‘convicted in Beirut’ of killing of Irish peacekeeper in 2022

Seán Rooney: Defendants ‘convicted in Beirut’ of killing of Irish peacekeeper in 2022

Tue, 29 Jul, 2025

Seán Rooney died following an ambush near the town of Al-Aqbiya in the south of Lebanon.
Former member of defence forces jailed for 10 years for sexual abuse

Former member of defence forces jailed for 10 years for sexual abuse

Fri, 25 Jul, 2025

The 63-year-old pleaded guilty to five counts of sexual assault on dates between September 2007 and June 2010 at an address in Cavan. He was jailed for 10 years on Friday.
Defence Forces musical bands cost taxpayers to the tune of €15.7m since 2023

Defence Forces musical bands cost taxpayers to the tune of €15.7m since 2023

Wed, 23 Jul, 2025

The bands performed at a total of 661 events during the past two-and-a-half years, excluding rehearsals, according to records released under the Freedom of Information Act.
Government signs new sonar contract to enhance maritime security

Government signs new sonar contract to enhance maritime security

Sun, 15 Jun, 2025

The new sonar capability will be used on Irish Naval vessels to monitor activities in the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone.
'Putin shouldn't have a veto': TD says triple lock debate must avoid misinformation

'Putin shouldn't have a veto': TD says triple lock debate must avoid misinformation

Sat, 07 Jun, 2025

Fine Gael TD Catherine Callaghan has said the current debate over changes to Ireland’s triple lock needs to be grounded in facts and not misinformation
Mother of Irish soldier Sean Rooney gets permission to sue the United Nations

Mother of Irish soldier Sean Rooney gets permission to sue the United Nations

Tue, 03 Jun, 2025

The vehicle driven by Pte Rooney became separated from the other one and ended up in a town called Al-Aqbiyah where it came under gunfire and Pte Rooney was killed.
Ireland's subsea cables and gas pipelines 'very vulnerable' amid 'non-existent maritime security'

Ireland's subsea cables and gas pipelines 'very vulnerable' amid 'non-existent maritime security'

Sat, 31 May, 2025

Ireland's critical subsea infrastructure is extremely vulnerable due to under-resourcing of the Defence Forces and Irish Navy, a former TD and deputy commander of the Army Ranger Wing has warned
Soldier (35) jailed for drug dealing at Army barracks

Soldier (35) jailed for drug dealing at Army barracks

Fri, 23 May, 2025

Shane Scanlon (35) became involved in drug dealing because of 'financial pressures'
Army officer who subjected recruits to 'degrading treatment' in mock trial fined by court martial

Army officer who subjected recruits to 'degrading treatment' in mock trial fined by court martial

Fri, 09 May, 2025

The officer admitted committing six offences of conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline, contrary to Section 168 of the Defence Act.
'Depraved paedophile': Former soldier jailed for sexually assaulting young girls in 1980s

'Depraved paedophile': Former soldier jailed for sexually assaulting young girls in 1980s

Wed, 30 Apr, 2025

Judge Colin Daly lifted a court order restricting the media from identifying Eddie Lillis, (63), of Shannonvale, Old Cratloe Road, Limerick.
Teenagers being targeted by dangerous elements online, says judge

Teenagers being targeted by dangerous elements online, says judge

Tue, 29 Apr, 2025

Due to their immaturity, the judge said children can be drawn to unsuitable parts of the internet and become "relatively easy prey for fanatical propagandists".
Ireland's first military radar system to be rolled out next year

Ireland's first military radar system to be rolled out next year

Tue, 29 Apr, 2025

Ireland's first military radar system is to rolled out from next year
President lays wreath at Easter Rising commemoration

President lays wreath at Easter Rising commemoration

Sun, 20 Apr, 2025

The president was remembering those who died in the 1916 armed rebellion.
SDLP reinstates ex-mayor who gave reference for rapist Defence Forces soldier

SDLP reinstates ex-mayor who gave reference for rapist Defence Forces soldier

Wed, 16 Apr, 2025

The whip on Derry City and Strabane District Council has also been restored to Brian Tierney.
Appeal issued after ‘live army round’ seen near Co Wicklow trail

Appeal issued after ‘live army round’ seen near Co Wicklow trail

Tue, 15 Apr, 2025

Inquiries are being carried out on where the Illumination round is after it was seen by a member of the public.
Residents evacuated from homes in Limerick as second explosive device linked to feud made safe

Residents evacuated from homes in Limerick as second explosive device linked to feud made safe

Tue, 15 Apr, 2025

Gardaí requested the assistance of the Defence Forces bomb squad after the firebomb device was discovered at a house around 2.25am this morning
HQ for elite Irish soldiers to be built at the cost of €46 million

HQ for elite Irish soldiers to be built at the cost of €46 million

Tue, 15 Apr, 2025

The Army Ranger Wing’s headquarters and training centre will be located at the Curragh Camp in Co Kildare.
Neutrality 'completely unaffected' by triple lock changes, minister says

Neutrality 'completely unaffected' by triple lock changes, minister says

Sun, 13 Apr, 2025

Ireland's neutrality will be "completely unaffected" by proposed changes to the triple lock, despite criticism from opposition TDs, according to a Government minister
Lisa Smith's IS membership conviction falls short of Irish law, court told

Lisa Smith's IS membership conviction falls short of Irish law, court told

Fri, 11 Apr, 2025

Lisa Smith, 43, from Dundalk in Co Louth, is appealing against her conviction for membership of the IS terror group at the Court of Appeal.
Defence Forces chaplain repeatedly stabbed tells his attacker he forgives him

Defence Forces chaplain repeatedly stabbed tells his attacker he forgives him

Thu, 10 Apr, 2025

Fr Murphy said if it wasn't him that night, it would have been someone else
Opposition pledges ‘robust’ challenge to triple lock changes

Opposition pledges ‘robust’ challenge to triple lock changes

Wed, 09 Apr, 2025

Opposition TDs have pledged to replicate a ‘robust’ challenge to moves by the Irish Government to scrap provisions of the triple lock.
Army joins search for missing Kerry farmer Michael Gaine

Army joins search for missing Kerry farmer Michael Gaine

Tue, 01 Apr, 2025

The farmer was last seen buying phone credit at a Centra near Kenmare on Thursday, March 20th.
Government to buy 6,000 modern body armour units for Defence Forces soldiers

Government to buy 6,000 modern body armour units for Defence Forces soldiers

Sun, 30 Mar, 2025

The new body armour will provide ‘state-of-the-art protection’ to troops during their missions, the Tánaiste said.
Irish peacekeepers facing aggression in south Lebanon amid conflict

Irish peacekeepers facing aggression in south Lebanon amid conflict

Thu, 27 Mar, 2025

Lieutenant-Colonel Shane Rockett, commander of the 125 Infantry Battalion at Camp Shamrock, said the situation is the worst he had seen.
State loses bid to block Senator's case over 'secret' deal with Royal Air Force

State loses bid to block Senator's case over 'secret' deal with Royal Air Force

Tue, 18 Mar, 2025

Senator Gerard Craughwell claims an agreement exists allowing the RAF to intercept hostile aircraft posing a threat to Ireland and UK
Law to modify deployment triple lock to be ‘scrutinised robustly’ – Harris

Law to modify deployment triple lock to be ‘scrutinised robustly’ – Harris

Sat, 08 Mar, 2025

Minister for Defence Simon Harris emphasised that he values Ireland’s neutrality.
Teenager (17) who tried to murder priest to be assessed for autism

Teenager (17) who tried to murder priest to be assessed for autism

Fri, 07 Mar, 2025

Mr Justice Paul McDermott heard on Friday that a psychologist at Oberstown Detention Centre has recommended that the defendant undergo an autism assessment
Ireland moves to drop UN requirement for troop deployment

Ireland moves to drop UN requirement for troop deployment

Tue, 04 Mar, 2025

Taoiseach Michéal Martin said he did not want Russia, China or the United States having a veto on deployments
Politics watch: Triple lock change, Martin facing tough White House visit

Politics watch: Triple lock change, Martin facing tough White House visit

Mon, 03 Mar, 2025

Here, we have a look at the issues likely to dominate political discourse in the week to come

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