Latest
Last month
October 2024
discontent in the ranksOne in four military officers are planning to leave the Defence Forces in the next five years
ExplainerIn the hills of south Lebanon: How Irish troops work to keep the peace along the Blue Line
Defence and JusticeNational Security budget: 1,000 extra gardaí, increased defence spending and more prison officers
September
September 2024
Lebanon
'There's no bed space': Fears Beirut hospital system could collapse in wake of Israeli attacks
Monday’s bombing represented Lebanon’s “worst day in 18 years”, an Irish UNICEF worker said.
money tied up
Maintaining the MV Matthew in Cork Harbour has cost the state €4.4 million since last September
The MV Matthew was seized by the State last September in a dramatic drugs interdiction operation.
Moving the MV Matthew to different berths has caused 'operational problems' for Port of Cork Company.
Costs are mounting and the Harbour Master has repeatedly asked for clarity on when the ship will be sold.
There are also concerns by POCC around insurance as the MV Matthew has lost a critical maritime classification.
Concerns have further mounted after a 'near miss' in the harbour when the Matthew moved from its moorings.
kilrushArmed gardaí deployed to small Co Clare town to deal with fallout from escalating drug dispute
Shadow fleet
Liquified gas cargo ship allegedly breaching Russian sanctions spotted off Galway coast
The ship, named New Energy, is a Palau registered craft and has been named in a list of US State Department sanctions.
FoynesAmbulance Service pays tribute to 'brave' medics who rescued unconscious man from apartment fire
up the junctionGardaí take to truck patrols to catch distracted drivers, in tactic borrowed from Europe
Organised Crime
Major cocaine haul as Europol assist gardaí against new Irish crime cartel
It is understood that police from across the world have been involved in breaching the encrypted communications of a drug trafficking operation.
hell and back
The real Hell Week: Inside the selection process to become an Irish Special Forces soldier
Ever wonder what it takes to become a member of the Irish Army Ranger Wing?
the morning lead
Head of Garda National Immigration Bureau: There'll be a 'significant' increase in deportations
Detective Chief Superintendent Aidan Minnock sat down with The Journal for a rare interview.
Guess who's back
Irish security forces monitoring reports of Russian naval activity in the Atlantic
Sources have said that Russian naval exercises are planned to take place in the coming weeks.
National Security
Carroll MacNeill says visit to European/Russian border confirms need for increased Defence spend
Minister for State for Defence and European Affairs Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has returned after visits to Finland, Estonia and Lithuania and viewing the Russian border.
Analysis
Friends with benefits? Ireland moves closer to NATO as alliance looks to protect Atlantic flank
This week The Journal travelled to Brussels for briefings and meetings with sources at NATO and other organisations.
the morning lead
'Not how navies work': Head of naval operations hits out at 'incorrect' reports on status of ships
Captain Darragh Kirwan the head of Naval Service Operations Command and his colleague Commander Eoin Smith spoke to The Journal.
August
August 2024
military kit
Ireland talking directly to other governments to quicken pace of buying military hardware
It’s part of promised modernisation of the Defence Forces and its capabilities.
bomb site solutions
'Four generations have lived here': How Irish funding for prefabs is letting Ukrainians go home
The Irish government has given money to fund a programme of building prefabs for displaced Ukrainians so they can return home.
CastlegarGardaí probe shooting incident and fire in Galway city believed to be linked to ongoing feud
WhistleblowerBritish diplomat based in Dublin resigns in protest at sales of arms to Israel by UK companies
Ukraine and the Curragh
Lessons from the frontline of the war in Ukraine are changing Irish Army artillery tactics
Artillery had fallen out of fashion but the Ukraine War has put it front and centre once again.
Defence Forces
Teenager arrested after army chaplain injured in 'horrifying' stabbing at Galway barracks
It’s understood that a soldier on guard duty fired warning shots before restraining the youth.
portlaoise prisonPortlaoise Prison overdose probe focused on opioid style drug smuggled in by short release prisoner
Peacekeepers
Tánaiste writes to UN to express 'extreme concern' at airstrike that damaged Irish army vehicles
Two Irish military vehicles were damaged in the incident on Saturday night when an apparent airstrike on a village narrowly missed the armoured cars.
Lebanon
Video shows moment of suspected 'Israeli airstrike' on Lebanese village as Irish troops drive past
It is understood six Irish troops were in a two vehicle convoy along with two Polish colleagues hit in the strike.
UNIFIL
Irish peacekeeper convoy struck during an airstrike bombing in south Lebanon
A spokesman with the Irish Defence Forces has confirmed that no personnel were injured in the incident.
Search and Rescue
Uncertainty over future of Coast Guard jobs as helicopter crews transition to new operator
The Irish Coast Guard is operated by CHC Helicopters at present but a new contract has been awarded to Bristow.
