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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 23

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 earlier this week.

Ireland • 31 Mar 23

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 and bullying, still exists in the force today.

Ireland • 29 Mar 23

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 23

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 Forces will be an historic moment for those affected.

Defence Forces • 27 Mar 23

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 two female officers were alleged to have been physically and sexually assaulted, was ill-advised and inappropriate.

Ireland • 25 Mar 23

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 23

'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 23

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 rejecting the State's argument that chaplains of "monotheistic belief" are needed for "force protection" by dealing with religious l

Workplace Relations Commission • 15 Mar 23

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 23

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 Heights in just over a month's time.

Ireland • 28 Feb 23

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 of Ireland, the UN and "all those wishing for peace in our shared world".

Ireland • 15 Dec 22

Private Seán Rooney was from Co Donegal and his home unit was 27 Infantry Battalion in Dundalk

Investigation after Irish peacekeeper killed in Lebanon

The Minister for Foreign Affairs has said he does not accept assurances from Hezbollah that it was not involved in an attack in which a 24-year-old Irish soldier serving with the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon was killed and another seriously wounded.

Ireland • 15 Dec 22

PDFORRA is the association representing 6,500 enlisted members of the Defence Forces (picture via RollingNews)

'Early actions' announced after Defence Forces report

The Minister for Defence has announced a number of "early actions" arising out of the report of the Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces including pay rises for some members.

Ireland • 05 Oct 22

Members of the Defence Forces take part in an event to mark the centenary of the death of Michael Collins

Collins relatives attend Military Archives ceremony

Members of the Defence Forces along with members of the Collins family have attended an event to mark the centenary of the death of General Michael Collins.

Michael Collins • 23 Aug 22

Military from the UN mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo attend a ceremony for peacekeepers who died during violent protests last July

Air Corps plane 'in the air' on way home from DR Congo

An Air Corps plane and its crew are on the way back to Ireland after a military operation to repatriate equipment from the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to the Department of Defence.

Defence Forces • 18 Aug 22

Micheál Martin said the investment will allow for increased radar capabilities (Pic: RollingNews.ie)

'New era' for Defence Forces as action plan announced

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said that the development of the Defence Forces is essential, but cautioned that "ambitious" reform plans will take time to complete.

Ireland • 13 Jul 22

Defence Forces members training ahead of deployment to Lebanon (File pic)

Defence Forces facing challenges despite spending boost

The mercury had hit 56 degrees Celsius, when I stepped off the plane and onto the melting tarmac at N'Djamena International Airport, in Chad, in 2008.

Analysis and Comment • 12 Jul 22

The Government is being asked to prioritise money for military radar equipment, including primary radar (File pic: RollingNews.ie)

Defence Forces budget to rise to €1.5 billion by 2028

Cabinet has agreed to increase Defence Forces spending to €1.5 billion by 2028.

Ireland • 12 Jul 22

Earlier this year, a report declared that the Irish Defence Forces are not fit for purpose

Why Ireland's Defence Forces are at a crossroads

After a shift in Europe's defence landscape and a report that concluded they are not fit for purpose, crucial decisions must be made about Ireland's military, explains Conor Wilson.

Prime Time • 10 Jun 22

RACO is to be allowed to join ICTU for the sole purpose of the ongoing public sector pay talks (Pic: RollingNews)

Defence force officers temporarily allowed to join ICTU

The Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (RACO), is to be allowed join the Irish Congress of Trade Unions on a temporary basis for the sole purpose of the ongoing public sector pay talks.

Ireland • 02 Jun 22

Support Company 7th Infantry Battalion training

Irish soldiers limber up for arduous charity challenge

A group of Irish soldiers are limbering up for a gruelling fitness challenge for charity.

Ireland • 03 Mar 22

Report into the capabilities, structures and staffing of the Defence Forces published

Defence Forces report 'stark', says Chief of Staff

Ireland's Defence Forces see "very clearly" that it cannot meet the policy and level of ambition set out by the Government in 2016, Chief of Staff General Sean Clancy has said.

Ireland • 10 Feb 22

The Commission on the Defences Forces report outlined three levels of ambition with up to €3 billion investment required to implement the highest level

Senator says Defence Forces on 'cusp of change'

Minister for Defence Simon Coveney has said it will take him four or five months to draw up a government response to a report by the Commission on the Defences Forces, published today.

Ireland • 09 Feb 22

Is there an appetite for increased defence funding?

Is there an appetite to increase spending in an area that often exists below the radar in Leinster House, asks Mícheál Lehane.

Analysis and Comment • 09 Feb 22