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Paschal Donohoe (L) and Paul Kehoe held a news briefing this afternoon

Action plan to deliver €10m package to Defence Forces

The Government has said that a €10 million package will immediately improve the take-home pay of members of the Defence Forces.

Ireland • 04 Jul 19

The Government has faced consistent criticism over the issue of pay in the ranks (Pic Defence Forces)

Ministers to consider report on Defence Forces' pay

The Cabinet is today expected to consider a report by the Public Service Pay Commission into pay and recruitment in the Defence Forces.

Politics • 02 Jul 19

Fianna Fáil's Jack Chambers said morale within the forces was on the floor

FF calls for Defence Forces' allowances to be restored

Fianna Fáil has tabled a motion in the Dáil this evening calling for military allowances to be returned to pre-recession levels.

Politics • 12 Jun 19

The Army Ranger Wing has previously served abroad in East Timor and Liberia (Pic Defence Forces)

Govt approves proposal to send Army Rangers to Mali

A proposal for Ireland's special forces to join the UN mission in Mali has been approved by Government at today's cabinet meeting.

Politics • 11 Jun 19

The committee heard that 3,200 personnel have left the Defence Forces between 2014 and 2018

Ireland's defence capability being 'ground into dust'

The high turnover rate in the Defence Forces is leading to Ireland's defence capability being "ground into the dust", according to the association that represents officers.

Politics • 30 May 19

84% of military personnel are below the average wage of the public service, said Brig Gen Ger Aherne

Defence Forces treated with contempt - retired General

A former senior member of the Defence Forces has said members of the military are being treated with "contempt" as they are excluded from influencing policies.

Ireland • 28 May 19

Cork protest over Defence Forces' pay and conditions

Over 1,000 former soldiers, sailors and Air Corps personnel marched in Cork this lunchtime to highlight concerns over pay and conditions in the Defence Forces.

Munster • 09 May 19

Tank has been reunited with his owner Darren Jackson

Eagle owl, Tank, reunited with owners in Kildare

An eagle owl that had gone missing in Co Kildare has been located. The owl, known as Tank, was spotted in a tree in the Sallins area.

Ireland • 10 Apr 19

The troops had been due to arrive in Dublin on Thursday but their return, from Syria via Beirut, was delayed until today

Troops arrive home after deployment to Golan Heights

130 Irish troops have returned home from the Golan Heights and Syria this evening after a six-month deployment.

Ireland • 07 Apr 19

The Irish troops are part of the UNDOF mission in the Golan Heights

Irish troops to return from Golan Heights on Sunday

The 130 Irish troops who were due to return from the Golan Heights today will now return on Sunday.

Ireland • 04 Apr 19

The Defence Forces members on the UNIFIL mission will be replaced by Polish and some Hungarian troops

Defence Forces to reduce peacekeepers in Lebanon

Ireland is to reduce its number of peacekeepers in Lebanon by around 100 later this year.

World • 01 Apr 19

Irish troops preparing in the Glen of Imaal for deployment to Syria

Defence Forces recruitment campaign announced

Minister for Defence Paul Kehoe has announced a rolling recruitment process for the Defence Forces.

Ireland • 12 Mar 19

Lisa Smith served as a private in the Defence Forces before transferring to the Air Corps

Gardaí contact Louth family after woman held in Syria

Gardaí have contacted the family of an Irish woman who converted to Islam, following the detention of an Irish citizen in Syria.

World • 11 Mar 19

Cabinet approved the extension for 20 members of the Army to be deployed in the West African country

Irish Defence Forces' mission to Mali extended by year

The Defence Forces' participation in the EU Training Mission (EUTM) in Mali is to be extended by 12 months, RTÉ News has learned.

World • 26 Feb 19

The in-house psychiatrist for the Defence Forces retired in May 2018

Defence Forces without psychiatrist for nearly a year

The Irish Defence Forces has been without an in-house psychiatrist for nearly a year, amid a nationwide shortage of trained professionals in the health sector.

Ireland • 11 Feb 19

The ceremony is being held at Dublin Castle for the first time in the history of the State

77 cadets commissioned in Dublin Castle ceremony

The commissioning ceremony of 77 new cadets is taking place in Dublin.

Ireland • 04 Feb 19

The army team arrived at the scene at 3.20am (File pic)

Homes evacuated, bomb squad called over IED in Navan

The army bomb squad was called in the early hours of this morning to deal with an improvised explosive device in a vehicle in Navan, Co Meath.

Leinster • 17 Dec 18

On arrival in Co Kerry, the vessel will be handed over to Gardaí

Irish fishing vessel detained off coast of Co Cork

LÉ Samuel Beckett has detained an Irish registered fishing vessel off the coast of Co Cork.

Ireland • 04 Dec 18

The film begins with James Mortell raising the tricolour

Funeral held for first person seen on Irish television

A retired army officer, who was the first person to appear on Irish television in 1961, has been buried today.

Ireland • 18 Nov 18

Corporal Dave Sweeney and his son Daíre at Dublin Airport

Wait finally over as Irish troops return from UN duties

Family and friends of 119 Irish soldiers deployed to the Golan Heights and Syria gathered at Dublin Airport this morning to welcome them home, following a two week delay.

Ireland • 16 Oct 18

Irish troops had their bags packed ready to return home from Syria

Soldier's wife says children distraught by Syria delays

The wife of an Irish soldier who was due to arrive home from a six-month tour of duty in the Golan Heights this morning has said trying to explain to her daughters that their daddy was not coming home for another two weeks was like "cancelling Christmas".

Ireland • 03 Oct 18

Some Defence Forces personnel paid €50, others €300, but staff with skills were prepared to pay over €6,000 to leave the service

Defence Forces staff 'buying themselves out of service'

Large numbers of soldiers, sailors and Air Corps staff are buying themselves out of the Defence Forces because they are unhappy with the pay and conditions, according to the association which represents them.

Ireland • 02 Oct 18

The parade heard morale among the Defence Forces is non-existent and their mental health is a worry

Defence Forces calling for 'respect and loyalty'

The organisers of an event calling for respect and loyalty for members of the Defence Forces are saying it is a parade and not a protest.

Defence Forces • 19 Sep 18

The 138 troops will be deployed for six months

Troops prepare for Syrian deployment

Ireland • 05 Sep 18

Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina attended the ceremony in Dublin Castle

Event marks 60 years of Ireland's peacekeeping role

President Michael D Higgins and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar have attended a special ceremony at Dublin Castle to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Ireland's involvement in United Nation peacekeeping missions.

Ireland • 24 Jun 18