Latest news with #DefenceForces'
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Defence Forces risks 'not serving public interest' and wasting taxpayer's money
The Defence Forces tribunal faces 'falling short' of its aims and is in danger of wasting taxpayer money, it has heard in a special sitting. In a submission to chairperson Ms Justice Ann Power, a solicitor for the Defence Forces Justice Alliance said there was a risk the tribunal would 'not sufficiently serve the public interest and may instead represent a further misuse of public resources and funds'. The sitting of the tribunal, which was established to inquire into how the Defence Forces' handled complaints about abuse, also heard a 'software hiccup' had delayed the provision of documents from the Defence Forces to the tribunal team. The way abuse is defined is one of the main issues concerning survivors of Defence Forces mistreatment and other abuses. John Geary, of JV Geary Solicitors, said at the sitting that current tribunal definitions of "abuse" and "complaints of abuse" complicate matters. This was, he said, because the tribunal's definitions of what abuse is did not exist within the Defence Forces' own complaints processes — known as the Redress of Wrongs system — before the tribunal was even set up. He also said in order to participate in the tribunal, he said it appeared complainants had to prove any so-called 'interpersonal' issues they had must first fall within the definition of abuse or complaints of abuse. He told Ms Justice Power very few of the members of the Defence Forces Justice Alliance, for example, had ever submitted complaints of abuse. They had instead submitted 'complaints of inappropriate behaviour and complaint grievances'. Mr Geary said: 'The Defence Forces Justice Alliance are concerned the terms of reference continue to cause further trauma to victims of abuse. They reflect a complete disregard for whether the interpersonal issues contained in submitted complaints are credible.' In response, Defence Forces Senior Counsel (SC) Darren Lehane said: 'The tribunal has no power to expand its terms of reference. This can only be done pursuant to the procedures set out in the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Act 1921-2011. 'This may involve a request which must then be considered by the Attorney General on behalf of the minister and must then be followed by a resolution passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas.' His colleague Patrick McCann (SC) also told Ms Justice Power there was a delay accessing certain files relevant to the tribunal because there were 189 markers — or reference points — missing from complaints files. He explained 'a universe of documents, maybe 72 million' will be searched in an attempt to find the missing markers. The number of documents being searched represents, he said, 'every single document that was created and saved at some point is somewhere on the IT network'. He added: '[There's] been a software hiccup in that respect, but hopefully that's resolved, and those searches are beginning.' The sitting also heard Defence Forces tribunal staff have had to undergo trauma training, due to the nature of the material they are expected to have to review. Ms Justice Power said her team needed training on the best way to handle serious allegations concerning a variety of matters, including 'physical torture, physical assault, psychological harm, sexual harassment, and sexual misconduct'. The tribunal was one of the recommendations of the Independent Review Group report in March 2023, which concluded the Defence Forces "barely tolerates women", and, at its worst, verbally, physically, sexually and psychologically abuses women in its ranks. It noted 80% of harassment of male and female personnel was perpetrated by one or more members of a higher rank to the victim.
Dublin Live
02-06-2025
- Dublin Live
Carlow shooting: Gunman opens fire in shopping centre before turning gun on himself
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A gunman opened fire in a busy shopping centre yesterday as terrified customers ran for their lives – before he turned the gun on himself. Sources say the man, who was white and Irish, fired several shots from a shotgun in the Fairgreen Centre in Carlow Town – before taking his own life. Gardai were trying to identify the dead man last night – but they do not believe he was involved in either terrorism or gangland violence. However, sources did say the man who gardai suspect it is was known to officers. And army bomb experts were late last night still examining a suspicious device found on the man's body. Sources say at least one bottle appears to have been strapped to him. Gardai who rushed to the scene as the incident unfolded around 6.15pm saw the suspicious item on the man's body and withdrew for their own safety. They also called in the Defence Forces' bomb squad – or EOD unit – who examined the scene last night. (Image: Niall Carson/PA Wire) And it also emerged that gardai sealed off a house in another rural part of Leinster. It's understood gardai were close to identifying the man last night and believe the house was connected to him. Sources say gardai were last night trying to establish a motive for the horror incident – in which a nine-year-old girl was injured as she and others ran to safety when the shooting started at around 6.15pm. It's understood the man calmly walked into the shopping centre and started firing a number of shots from a shotgun in the air. The centre was packed at the time and dozens of people ran for their lives. A nine-year-old girl who was one of the shoppers trying to escape suffered a slight injury in the drama. She was assessed at the scene and did not require hospitalisation. Gardai rushed to the scene and the site was evacuated. Officers then found the body of the man in the centre. (Image: Niall Carson/PA Wire) It is understood gardai believe the man shot himself. The area was still sealed off last night as gardai investigated the shock incident. But gardai did confirm the dead man was Irish and white. The force said in a statement: "Shortly after 6:15pm, gardaí were alerted following reports of a firearm discharge at Fairgreen Shopping Centre, Carlow. An Garda Síochána are currently at the scene, with the shopping centre and car park cordoned off. The cordon will remain in place overnight. "A white Irish adult male is deceased at the scene. The Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team has been requested to attend. "A female juvenile received treatment from paramedics following the incident but did not require hospital care. It's undetermined at this time as to how those injuries were sustained. "Anyone who may have recorded footage of the incident is urged not to share it on social media platforms or messaging apps, but instead to provide it to Gardaí at Carlow Garda Station. Anyone with information is asked to contact Carlow Garda Station at 059-9136620 or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111. Investigations are ongoing." Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan has expressed his solidarity with those impacted by a serious incident in Carlow. "This was a really shocking incident. My thoughts are with everyone affected by the shooting and the community and families impacted including those working at the scene," he said. "I would appeal to anyone who has any information to speak to the gardaí and help with their investigations in any way that they can. This is something we never want or expect to happen in our communities. Gun violence is very rare in Ireland, and I am determined that will remain the case. The area in Carlow is safe. We must now allow An Garda Síochána to investigate this incident fully." And Tánaiste Simon Harris, who is minister for Defence as well as Foreign Affairs last night praised the Defence Forces and gardai. He said: "I am deeply concerned to hear about the incident that has taken place in Carlow tonight and have been kept briefed. "I understand a young child has been hurt and I join with people across our country in thinking of them and their family tonight. I am also thinking of all those who witnessed this situation and the awful shock and upset it must have caused them. I know their families and communities will rally to support them. "I am grateful to our emergency services for their work and response. This is a live Garda Investigation with the support of members of the Army Bomb Disposal Unit. "I have been in touch with the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy, in relation to this incident and the assistance our Defence Forces are providing. It's important now that our Gardai can carry out this investigation thoroughly." Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Irish Daily Mirror
02-06-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Gunman opens fire in Carlow shopping centre before turning gun on himself
A gunman opened fire in a busy shopping centre yesterday as terrified customers ran for their lives – before he turned the gun on himself. Sources say the man, who was white and Irish, fired several shots from a shotgun in the Fairgreen Centre in Carlow Town – before taking his own life. Gardai were trying to identify the dead man last night – but they do not believe he was involved in either terrorism or gangland violence. However, sources did say the man who gardai suspect it is was known to officers. And army bomb experts were late last night still examining a suspicious device found on the man's body. Sources say at least one bottle appears to have been strapped to him. Gardai who rushed to the scene as the incident unfolded around 6.15pm saw the suspicious item on the man's body and withdrew for their own safety. They also called in the Defence Forces' bomb squad – or EOD unit – who examined the scene last night. And it also emerged that gardai sealed off a house in another rural part of Leinster. It's understood gardai were close to identifying the man last night and believe the house was connected to him. Sources say gardai were last night trying to establish a motive for the horror incident – in which a nine-year-old girl was injured as she and others ran to safety when the shooting started at around 6.15pm. It's understood the man calmly walked into the shopping centre and started firing a number of shots from a shotgun in the air. The centre was packed at the time and dozens of people ran for their lives. A nine-year-old girl who was one of the shoppers trying to escape suffered a slight injury in the drama. She was assessed at the scene and did not require hospitalisation. Gardai rushed to the scene and the site was evacuated. Officers then found the body of the man in the centre. It is understood gardai believe the man shot himself. The area was still sealed off last night as gardai investigated the shock incident. But gardai did confirm the dead man was Irish and white. The force said in a statement: 'Shortly after 6:15pm, gardaí were alerted following reports of a firearm discharge at Fairgreen Shopping Centre, Carlow. 'An Garda Síochána are currently at the scene, with the shopping centre and car park cordoned off. The cordon will remain in place overnight. 'A white Irish adult male is deceased at the scene. The Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team has been requested to attend. 'A female juvenile received treatment from paramedics following the incident but did not require hospital care. It's undetermined at this time as to how those injuries were sustained. 'Anyone who may have recorded footage of the incident is urged not to share it on social media platforms or messaging apps, but instead to provide it to Gardaí at Carlow Garda Station. 'Anyone with information is asked to contact Carlow Garda Station at 059-9136620 or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111. Investigations are ongoing.' Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan has expressed his solidarity with those impacted by a serious incident in Carlow. 'This was a really shocking incident. My thoughts are with everyone affected by the shooting and the community and families impacted including those working at the scene," he said. 'I would appeal to anyone who has any information to speak to the gardaí and help with their investigations in any way that they can. 'This is something we never want or expect to happen in our communities. Gun violence is very rare in Ireland, and I am determined that will remain the case. The area in Carlow is safe. We must now allow An Garda Síochána to investigate this incident fully.' And Tánaiste Simon Harris, who is minister for Defence as well as Foreign Affairs last night praised the Defence Forces and gardai. He said: 'I am deeply concerned to hear about the incident that has taken place in Carlow tonight and have been kept briefed. 'I understand a young child has been hurt and I join with people across our country in thinking of them and their family tonight. 'I am also thinking of all those who witnessed this situation and the awful shock and upset it must have caused them. I know their families and communities will rally to support them. 'I am grateful to our emergency services for their work and response. This is a live Garda Investigation with the support of members of the Army Bomb Disposal Unit. 'I have been in touch with the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy, in relation to this incident and the assistance our Defence Forces are providing. 'It's important now that our Gardai can carry out this investigation thoroughly.'
Irish Examiner
14-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Gaps in Defence Forces personnel threatens Ireland's ability to respond to security risks, conference told
A lack of key personnel continues to threaten our country's military capabilities and our ability to respond to today's increasingly challenging security environment, the incoming Defence Forces chief of staff has acknowledged. Brigadier General Rossa Mulcahy told delegates attending PDForra's annual conference that the Defence Forces is working very hard, in a very challenging labour market, to recruit new blood and to retain highly-trained personnel. 'It is clear to all that we are in the midst of an increasingly challenging defence and security environment, both in our domestic maritime and aerial environment and on the wider European stage,' the senior officer said. He said the Defence Forces' commitment to overseas peacekeeping mission continues to exert pressure on the organisation, as does commitments to proving resources when required by the gardaí or local authorities. Security challenges Brig Gen Mulcahy acknowledged that many personnel were working to plug gaps to maintain operations. 'We see it every day, like you do,' he told delegates 'and we are under no illusions about all the challenges we face in an increasingly volatile European security environment.' Last year's Defence Policy Review highlighted the challenges of an increasingly complex and unpredictable security environment, he said. 'This underpins the need for the Defence Forces to be a joint, agile and fit for purpose military force postured to defend our State, protect our citizens and secure our interests. "New equipment and infrastructure will be necessary here, and will be delivered." "However, that is only part of the story. Capability is a marriage of first-rate equipment and properly trained, motivated personnel,' he added. Pay rates Meanwhile, PDForra says the Government must set up a specialist pay review body urgently to address the exodus of highly trained military technicians to the private sector. This action was also recommended four years ago by the Commission on the Defence Forces. PDForra general secretary Gerard Guinan said the international panel of experts on that commission recognised the difficulty that exists with retaining skilled personnel in the Defence Forces. 'The most recent review of specialist pay rates in 2021, which looked at the appropriateness of pay for personnel in specialist trades within certain bands failed to increase the pay at the very top level, who represented the most highly skilled, sought after and experienced personnel,' Mr Guinan said. The denial of increases was totally counterintuitive as personnel with lesser responsibilities and qualifications were moved up in technician pay. This subsquently decreased the value to personnel with higher qualifications in areas of high importance like navy engine room fitters, aircraft inspectors, and radar technicians. Providing these key personnel with better pay would aid retention as they're currently being enticed to leave the Defence Forces for 'substantially higher remuneration packages' in the private sector, Mr Guinan added. PDForra is also calling for the introduction of the long service increments, recommended by both in 2019 and 2021. Read More PDForra to push for halt to exodus of skilled technicians from Defence Forces
Irish Daily Mirror
07-05-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Gardai in race to catch criminal who built Ireland's first ever drone bomb
Gardai are in a race against time to catch the criminal who built Ireland's first ever drone bomb – before he makes another one. 'We don't know who made it yet,' a source said – as detectives mount a major investigation into the IED incident in Finglas, north Dublin late on Sunday night. 'But we are obviously keen to find him. The fear is that once he has made one, he will try to make another. 'This attempt was unsuccessful, we are worried that if there is another one, it won't fail.' The drone crashed at the home of an innocent family in Glenties Park at around 9pm on Sunday – but it was being flown towards a target elsewhere. Sources say the IED was being used as part of a simmering dispute between two rival crime gangs in Finglas - and now investigators fear it will explode into even more serious violence. 'Lives are at risk now,' one investigator said. We have learned that gardai in Finglas believe the crime gang targeted by the flying IED – which experts say was more sophisticated than a pipe bomb and had an electronic charging component – are now intent on revenge. The gang believes the IED attack was ordered by a notorious criminal in the Finglas area and are determined to strike back at him. Glenties Park in Finglas, where the IED landed at the home of an innocent family. Photo: Colin Keegan/Collins 'The suspicion is that they will go after him now,' one source said. 'They are spitting blood about Sunday night and will not let it go. The real risk is that they will try to kill him.' The drone was carrying a home-made IED when it landed at the innocent family's house and it is the first time in Ireland that a bomb has ever been delivered in that way. Members of the Defence Forces' Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit – or bomb squad – made the device safe after an alert lasting into the early hours of the morning. Members of the Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal team made the IED safe on Sunday night. The experts carried out a controlled explosion on the device during the drama that saw several houses in the area evacuated. The army team then handed the remains of the device over to gardai for a full forensic and technical examination. While the IED itself was destroyed, sources have told us that the drone that carried it was recovered largely intact. Investigators believe it may contain forensic and technical evidence that they hope will lead officers to identifying who was behind it. Local detectives, backed up by the Emergency Response Unit, carried out one search as part of their investigation on Monday in Finglas – but the target is not suspected of actually making the device. We have also learned that military experts believe the gang may have got the idea of carrying out a drone attack - by watching footage of the war in Ukraine. Drones are deployed on a daily basis by both invaders Russia and defenders Ukraine - and there are thousands of clips online of them being used to deadly effect. The experts suspect they got the idea from watching such clips online. Ukrainian drones target Russian armoured vehicles and military personnel on the frontlines in Ukraine in undated footage. Experts here suspect the Finglas gang got the idea to use a drone for their IED attack by watching clips of the war in Ukraine. As well as the drone-borne IED, gardai are also probing another incident in the Finglas area on Sunday night they believe was linked to the feud. A house was petrol bombed and shot up with a shotgun around the time the IED incident took place– and gardai believe they were both carried out by the same gang. Sources tell us the outfit behind the drone attack and petrol bomb is led by a criminal who was once a key ally of Glen 'Mr Flashy' Ward, the gangster who ran the infamous Gucci Gang in the area. The criminal who leads the gang behind the IED attack once tried to kill Glen "Mr Flashy" Ward. But they fell out a few years ago and are now bitter rivals. He is a suspect for a murder bid on Flashy and his brother Eric O'Driscoll in Finglas in June 2022. Ward's enemy is now involved in a feud with another gang. And the criminal, who himself was shot several years ago, is also a suspect for the horror attack on Browne's Steakhouse in nearby Blanchardstown on Christmas Eve, 2023. Gunman Tristan Sherry was murdered moments after he shot and fatally wounded Jason Hennessy, 48, in the attack. Sherry, 26, had another gunman with him - and detectives believe it was the man behind the flying drone attack. Ward, 32, was last week jailed for five and a half years for firearms offences. He was jailed for firing a semi-automatic AR-15 rifle from the back door of a Finglas home during a house party in January 2022. His younger brother Eric was jailed for five years after pleading guilty to the same offence. Ward previously pleaded guilty to a charge that on January 1, 2022 at an address in Finglas he possessed or had control of a .223 calibre Remington AR-15 semi-automatic rifle in circumstances giving rise to a reasonable inference that he did not have it for a lawful purpose. O'Driscoll, 23, admitted possessing the same gun. Gardai discovered the rifle alongside a military sub-machine gun during a search of a house in Finglas in February 2022. Ward's gang was one of the most dangerous in Dublin and was heavily involved in drug dealing, violence and intimidation. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
