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Troops prepare for final Irish Golan Heights mission

A total of 133 Irish troops are undergoing intensive training in Co Wicklow ahead of their deployment to the Golan Heights later this year.

Ireland • 31 Aug

Leo Varadkar said 3,500 women needed to be recruited to fully complement the Defence Forces (file pic)

Recruiting women a 'core problem' for Defence Forces

The Taoiseach has described difficulties in recruiting women to the Defence Forces as a "core" problem for staffing in the organisation.

Ireland • 04 Aug

The move follows a recommendation of an inquiry which examined behaviours in the Defence Forces (File image)

Tánaiste to update Cabinet on Defence Forces inquiry

Tánaiste Micheál Martin is expected to update the Cabinet on his intention to launch a public inquiry into systemic failings in the Defence Forces, which …

Politics • 11 Jul

The claims by the Women of Honour involve emotional abuse, physical torture, bullying and sexual misconduct in the Defence Forces

Tribunal planned into Women of Honour allegations

The Tánaiste has indicated that he plans to recommend a public Tribunal of Inquiry to investigate allegations in the Defence Forces highlighted by the Women …

Ireland • 06 Jul

Deployments are subject to renewal by the UN, but no Dáil approval is required in relation to renewal of these Defence Forces missions (File pic: RollingNews.ie)

Approval sought for renewal of Defence Forces missions

Tánaiste Micheál Martin will seek Cabinet approval later today for the continued Defence Forces participation in two overseas missions.

Politics • 13 Jun

From left, Roslyn O'Callaghan, Yvonne O'Rourke, Honor Murphy and Diane Byrne, ahead of their meeting with Taoiseach and the Tanaiste (RollingNews.ie)

Govt 'not on same page' about inquiry - Women of Honour

The Women of Honour Group has said they and the Government are not on the same page yet about what form an inquiry into abuse …

Ireland • 12 Jun

The group has today published its terms of reference for an inquiry which would allow the victims of abuse to recount the ordeal and make submissions to a tribunal (file image)

Women of Honour call for urgent tribunal establishment

The Women of Honour group has called for the urgent establishment of a Tribunal of Inquiry into allegations of emotional abuse, physical torture, bullying and …

Ireland • 11 Jun

The annual Chiefs of European Navies (CHENS) meeting is described by the Defence Forces as an 'informal, independent and non-political forum' (file image)

EU and NATO naval chiefs to meet in Cork

European and NATO naval chiefs are set to gather in Cork over the next two days to discuss the use of emergent and disruptive technologies …

Defence Forces • 16 May

The policy proposals will lead to high level structural changes in the Defence Forces (File: RollingNews.ie)

Cabinet approves plans for changes in Defence Forces

The Cabinet has given the green light for the preparation of policy proposals which will lead to high level structural changes in the Defence Forces, …

Politics • 16 May

The latest data shows 7,349 homes were commenced in the first three months of 2023 (Pic: RollingNews)

Best first quarter for housing commencements since 2014

Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien will update the Cabinet later today on residential construction activity. The latest data shows 7,349 homes were commenced in the first …

Politics • 16 May

Mr Martin said that there was no question that there were limitations on Ireland's military capacity and that the Government's focus was on improving that over time

Ireland 'not relying on anybody to patrol our airspace'

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Micheál Martin has said that Ireland "is not relying on anybody to patrol our airspace".

Defence Forces • 09 May

Micheál Martin said it was absurd to assume that we cannot question any of its policies

Role of Defence Forces 'at a crossroads' - Tánaiste

Tánaiste Micheál Martin has said Ireland stands at a crossroads in terms of the role of the Defence Forces.

Ireland • 21 Apr

Representatives of the group met with Drew Harris at Garda Headquarters in the Phoenix Park in Dublin

Women of Honour hold 'constructive' meeting with Harris

The Women of Honour group has said it has held a "very frank" and "very constructive" meeting with the Garda Commissioner on the criminal investigation …

Defence Forces • 17 Apr

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has encouraged victims to come forward (File image: RollingNews.ie)

Garda inquiry into 'predators' in Defence Forces

A criminal investigation into allegations of sexual abuse within the Defence Forces has been announced by the Garda Commissioner.

Ireland • 05 Apr

President Michael D Higgins is Supreme Commander of the Defence Forces

President speaks of hurt over Defence Forces review

President Michael D Higgins has spoken of his hurt and shame at reading the independent review into abuse within the Defence Forces, which was published …

Ireland • 31 Mar

Defence Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Seán Clancy (File pic)

Behaviour seen in Defence Forces review 'still exists'

Defence Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Seán Clancy has said that the behaviour detailed in the Independent Review Group's report into gender-based violence, harassment …

Ireland • 29 Mar

The Women of Honour group welcomed the move to establish a full statutory inquiry

Defence Forces review recommends statutory inquiry

A year-long independent review into gender-based violence, harassment and bullying in the Defence Forces has recommended a full statutory inquiry into the controversy.

Ireland • 28 Mar

Women of Honour members (L-R) Karina Molloy, Honor Murphy, retired army captain Diane Byrne, Yvonne O Rourke (Pic: RollingNews.ie)

Women of Honour hopes review will be 'historic moment'

The Women of Honour group says it hopes the Government's publication of a year-long independent review into gender-based violence, harassment and bullying in the Defence …

Defence Forces • 27 Mar

In June 2020, during Covid restrictions, a BBQ lunch was organised at McKee Barracks in Dublin

Defence Forces say McKee Barracks BBQ 'inappropriate'

The Chief of Staff of Defence Forces has said that the event that took place at a Dublin barracks during a Covid-19 lockdown, in which …

Ireland • 25 Mar

Lt Gen Clancy said women make up 7% of Defence Forces personnel

Head of Defence Forces to appoint 'gender advisor'

The head of the Defence Forces is to appoint a "gender advisor", an Oireachtas committee has heard.

Defence Forces • 21 Mar

'Like Armageddon' - Irish medic returns from Ukraine

A former combat medic in the Irish Defence Forces has returned to Ireland after months on the frontline in Ukraine.

Ukraine • 19 Mar

Irish peacekeepers of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) walk with the UN and Irish flags

Defence Forces discriminated against atheism campaigner

A prominent atheism campaigner was discriminated against by a failure to consider him for a military chaplain role, the Workplace Relations Commission has found, after …

Workplace Relations Commission • 15 Mar

Then Taoiseach Micheál Martin at a 75th anniversary naval event in Haulbowline, Co Cork, in 2021

Tánaiste pushes for EU directive across Defence Forces

Tánaiste Micheál Martin has said he intends to speed-up proposals to introduce the European Working Time Directive across the Defence Forces.

Defence Forces • 07 Mar

Irish members of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights in August 2014

Military exercises ahead of deployment to Golan Heights

Members of the Defence Forces started two weeks of military training exercises today ahead of their deployment to the Israeli-Syrian border in the occupied Golan …

Ireland • 28 Feb

President Michael D Higgins offered his 'deepest condolences' to the soldier's family (File image)

President mourns life lost 'serving the United Nations'

President Michael D Higgins has said the Irish peacekeeper who died after his convoy came under attack in Lebanon, lost his life serving the people …

Ireland • 15 Dec 22