A spokesman for the Defence Forces has confirmed that an inquiry is underway into allegations of bullying at an army barracks in Dublin.
Military police have interviewed 40 members of a platoon of recruits after one of them claimed he had been ordered by superiors at McKee Barracks to eat food off the floor.
He has also complained that he was locked inside a locker and had some property stolen.
The allegations come after huge efforts by the military authorities in recent years to stamp out any harassment or bullying in the force.
Army spokesman Commandant Brian Cleary described the allegations as very serious and said the authorities were not taking them lightly.
However, he insisted that the Defence Forces have the most robust anti-bullying procedures in the country.
An indication of this, Cmmdt Cleary said, was that the claims have come to light in the first place.
The spokesman said he did not wish to comment any further because due process was underway. However, he expects that the outcome of the inquiry will be made public within weeks.
