An Cosantóir

on parade | 7 IRISH, LEBANESE ARMIES FOND FAREWELL Pictured prior to his retirement from the Defence Forces after 42 years service, is Sgt Denis Barry, who was an instructor on a recent GPMG SF Cse with the 67 Res Inf Bn. Back row (L/R): Pte C Carragher-Smith, Cpl A Markey, Pte D Reel, Sgt D Barry, 2/Lt D Durnin, Lt J McGuinness and Capt F Brady. Front row (L/R): Pte D Reid, Sgt G Collins, Cpl C McK- eown and Pte M Formaniukaite. Photo courtesy of 2/Lt David Durnin (67 Res Inf Bn). IN EXERCISES Irish peacekeeping soldiers and the Lebanese Army have opened fire on targets at sea off the coast of Lebanon in joint exercises. The live-fire exercises involving various weapons including artillery, machine guns and armoured vehicles happened a kilometre from the headquarters of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in Naquora, south Lebanon. The exercise, codenamed 'Neptune Thunder', also involved elements from the French, Indonesian, and Spanish forces with UNIFIL. Sunday Independent, 11 Sept 2011 DEFENCE FORCES PASS FIRST TIME The DFTC team who won the 2011 Chaplains Cup, All Army 7-aside hurling competition for the first time ever since the competitions inception. Back row (L/R): Lt. Col Brennan, Col Beary, Pte Keogh, Capt Molumphy, Apr Whelan, Cadet Lanigan, Tpr Gore and Mons Eoin Thynne. Front row (L/R): Lt Bonus, Pte Shaw, Pte Mallon, Lt McInerney and Comdt O'Shea. Photo courtesy of Capt Molumphy (Mil Col, DFTC). ON YER BIKE In Jul 2011 members of Tpt Coy SSU had a sponsored cycle from the Tpt yard in the Curragh Camp to Wexford Town in aid of St Brigids Hospice on the Curragh. Photo shows the cyclists presenting a cheque for €2,500 to members of the Hospice. Photo By Sgt JJ Ryan (HQ DFTC). DRUGS TEST Less than 1pc of personnel from Defence Forces, who were tested for drugs in the past year, have proved positive. Tests were carried out on a total of 1,586 members with seven, or 0.44pc turning out to be positive. The figures are contained in the organisations annual report, published last night. The Defence Forces policy has earned it a reputation as one of the leading organisation in the country in relation to workplace testing. Irish Independent, 15 Sept 2011 WRITER RELIVES CONGO WAR HEROES' FINEST HOUR An Irish 'Band of Brothers' – hailed as Congo war heroes – are to be remembered in a new book. The heroism of the troops, in the Battle of the Tunnel, is being celebrated in a new book to mark the 50th anniversary of the deadly encounter. Evening Herald, 17 Sept 2011 LANDMINES SHOULD HAVE BEEN FOUND AND CLEARED A review published yesterday into the deaths of three Irish soldiers, killed in a landmine explosion while serving with the UN in Lebanon on March 21st, 1989... Mr Shatter commended serving and retired members of the Defence Forces for their support and co-operation with the inquiry. He said it was "testament to the deeply held values of integrity and honesty among our Defence Forces personnel... all those interviewed co-operated conscientiously. We must learn from the past. I believe that the Defence Forces have learned from this failure to undertake an adequate threat assessment and deploy all necessary assets to protect our personnel, wherever they operate. "Three men have died and three families have been bereaved and devastated by their loss. Our thoughts at this time must be with them." Irish Times, 20 Sept 2011 CHARTING A NEW COURSE It's exactly 16 years since women were admitted to the Irish navy. Lorraine Wall met some of the high-ranking officers and new recruits who have chosen a career on the high seas. This month marks the 16th anniversary of women in the Irish Naval Service. Although the rules changed in 1994, it was another year before the first successful candidates came 'on board'. Females now make up 7% of the current staff of 1,009 and their duties include everything from charting courses across the Atlantic to boarding vessels, and fixing machinery in the engine room. Irish Examiner, 17 Sept 2011 THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE

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