An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 27 By CoMDT ColIN lAWloR, DF INFoRMATIoN oFFICER PhoToS By SGT KARl ByRNE O n 17th November the Defence Forces Review 2017 Confer- ence was held in the impres- sive surroundings of the Boole library, university College Cork (uCC). This is the first occasion where the Defence Forces Review has been presented externally and highlights the signifi- cant collaboration that is ongoing between the Defence Forces and the wider academic community. This year the theme of the Review is Terrorism and the Evolving Terrorist Threat. In a year where terrorism has been the central security challenge in Europe, this publication is both a timely and welcome addition to the evolving pool of knowledge in this area. It also makes a significant con- tribution in helping to better under- stand terrorism and to mitigate the terrorist threat. This year's publication brings to- gether a diverse range of contributors from all three Defence Forces ser- vices including the Reserve Defence Forces and also contributions from leading academics in the terrorism field. The papers within the Review are a clear indication of the wealth of experience and knowledge within the Defence Forces and in wider domestic academia. Chief of Staff of the Defence Forc- es, Vice Admiral Mark Mellett, DSM opened the conference by thanking the President and authorities of UCC for facilitating the event and the staff of the Boole library for prepar- ing the conference venue. He also thanked OIC Public Relations Branch, Lt Col Oliver Dwyer and his staff, the Review's Editor Comdt Rory Finegan PhD, Co-Editor Dr David Fitzgerald, Co-Editor Prof John Doyle and the staff of the Defence Forces Printing Press for their efforts in making this publication a success. Vice Admiral Mark Mellett expressed his gratitude to the contributors stat- ing "I would like to pay tribute to our contributors, whom I am delighted to welcome here. Without your interest and voluntary input we would have no publication. The Defence Forces is ex- tremely grateful and appreciates your work in this regard." The conference itself consisted of three panels where contributors presented their papers and engaged in a panel discussion afterwards, that was chaired by a leading academic. The event was very well received by a large attendance from the Defence Forces in- cluding several retired personnel, UCC's student body and the general public. Congratulations and well done to the editorial team and all the contributors. Copies of the Review are available internally on IKON and externally from the Defence Forces Public Relations Branch at info@military.ie or online at http://www.military.ie/info-centre/ publication/defence-forces-review. DEFENCE FoRCES REVIEW CoNFERENCE Comdt Laura Fitzpatrick, Chief Instructor UNTSI. DF COS with contributors outside University College Cork. Panel discussion. Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Vice Admiral Mark Mellett, DSM with DF Review Editor Comdt Rory Finegan PhD, and Capt Deirdre Carbery.

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