News

Following today’s announcement of the Government’s approval for a Tribunal of Inquiry to examine the complaints processes in the Defence Forces by An Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Mr Micheál Martin TD, Óglaigh na hÉireann stands ready to work with and support the Inquiry.

Media Invite – 4.00 pm, Thursday 13 July 2023, Farmleigh House

Mr. Brian Molloy has been appointed as the new Defence Forces Head of Transformation. Mr. Molloy joins the Defence Forces from the Social Welfare Appeals Office where he worked as the Chief Appeals Officer and Director. He had full operational and strategic responsibilities for the appeals function across the Department of Social Protection. This function was a statutory function appointed by the Minister for Social Protection and he reported directly to the Secretary General of the Department and was a full time member of the Department of Social Protection Management Board.

L.É. William Butler Yeats will deploy as the Irish contribution to EUNAVFOR MED Operation Irini on Thursday 15th June. The ship will be tasked with Information, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations as well as Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) Operations during the 6-week deployment. The Naval Service has developed experience through engagement with previous missions namely OP PONTUS (2015-2017) and ENFM OP SOPHIA (2018).

There is a media opportunity to meet the crew of the L.É. William Butler Yeats alongside the Naval Base, Haulbowline, Co. Cork in advance of their upcoming deployment to the Mediterranean.

This Thursday, 01st June 2023, the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Seán Clancy, will attend the centenary event of the Artillery Corps in Collins Barracks Cork.

Irish military specialists in Engineer Specialist Search & Clearance (ESSC), mine countermeasures, de-mining and unexploded ordnance (UXO) disposal have just returned from Cyprus where they were training the Ukrainian Armed Forces in search, counter-mine and counter-munition and UXO disposal techniques.

The Irish Defence Forces Cavalry Corps secured an invitation to the biannual International Scout Competition (The Gainey Cup) in Fort Benning, Georgia.

An Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Mr Micheál Martin T.D., accompanied by the Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Seán Clancy, reviewed the 122nd Infantry Battalion, UNIFIL yesterday at 5pm in Sarsfield Barracks, Limerick.

Over the last week the Defence Forces (DF) conducted an ECAT (Emergency Civil Assistance Team) operation, named Operation PICCOLO in support of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). A joint DFA / DF team deployed to Djibouti and Cyprus to assist Irish citizens, residents and visa holders being evacuated to Cyprus from Sudan amid the evolving situation in the country.

Trooper Shane Kearney is returning to Beaumont Hospital today, Wednesday 26 April, to continue with his medical treatment.

As the top placing teams in the Defence Forces 2022 International Sniper Competition, 27th Infantry Battalion and the Army Ranger Wing (ARW) secured the Irish Defence Forces Sniper’s most highly coveted prize, competing in the US Army’s International Sniper Competition (USISC) in Fort Benning, Georgia. Conducted annually at the Army Sniper School, the USISC is the world’s premier sniper competition. 35 3-man teams from around the world are tested in every aspect of the sniper skillset with events focusing on navigation, stealth infiltration and exfiltration, observation, target positive identification (PID), team communication, fire control, physical endurance and long-range shooting over distances ranging from close quarter combat to 1200 meter engagements against static and moving targets. This competition is conducted non-stop over a period of 72 hours, during which teams will engage in numerous events by day and night, with the added physical and mental strain of minimal rest and quick turn-around times to consolidate and reorganise, and go again.

Captain Austin Doyle, a native of Eadestown, Co.Kildare, had the honour of being chosen to read the Irish Proclamation during the 107th Anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising this Sunday 9th April, outside of the General Post Office on Dublin's O'Connell's Street. During the commemoration Captain Doyle marched forward from under the famous arches of the GPO to read the proclamation to the waiting crowd. Following Captain Doyle's reading, President Michael D Higgins laid a wreath in honour of all those who have died.

The Defence Forces welcomes the news today of the Government's decision, subject to Dáil Éireann approval, to deploy a Naval Service vessel to EUNAVFORMED (ENFM) OPERATION IRINI in June and July 2023.

This week Óglaigh na hÉireann have monitored Russian commercial ships both outside and inside Ireland's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The Defence Forces can confirm the name of the serving member who tragically died in a parachuting accident in Spain yesterday as Acting Sergeant Major Declan O'Connell.

Trooper Shane Kearney is being discharged from Beaumont Hospital today, Friday 03 February, to continue his recovery at home.  

The Defence Forces have complied an end of year summary of Defence Forces security operations and training activities throughout 2022, both at home and overseas. To access some of our images of the Army, Naval Service, Air Corps and Overseas in 2022, please follow the links to our Flickr account at the end of our statement. Read the rest of the report here.

The South East Technological University Carlow held a Conferring Ceremony this afternoon, 12th January 2023, to confer 206 awards to Defence Forces personnel. The collaborative partnership between the Defence Forces and SETU Carlow commenced in September 2012.