Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Irish soldiers irish Defence Forces Facebook page

Irish soldiers forced 'to borrow' ceremonial uniforms for Albert Reynolds' funeral

Soldiers had to borrow parts of the kit from their comrades.

SOME SOLDIERS HAD to borrow uniforms for the State funeral of Albert Reynolds.

PDFORRA president Mark Scally told its annual conference in Sligo yesterday that soldiers had to borrow parts of what is known as the ‘number one uniform’.

Ceremonial uniforms 

Normally, soldiers would wear combat uniform, however for special ceremonies, soldiers wear the number one uniform.

It is understood that that some soldiers had to borrow some parts of the uniform from their comrades, as they did not have the full kit. It’s believed that this only occurred on one occasion.

The Minister for Defence Simon Coveney and Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Conor O’Boyle said they were not aware that soldiers had to do this.

Read: As Coveney mulls decision on Irish troops, Israel shoots down Syrian plane in Golan Heights>

 Watch 1,500 Irish soldiers groan with pain on the Braveheart battlefield>

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
59 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Reg
    Favourite Reg
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 9:25 AM

    So a few lad who hadn’t checked if their No. 1 fitted for a year or two suddenly have to get dresssed up and it becomes a headline story on RTE. Pathetic!

    267
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aaron B
    Favourite Aaron B
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 9:34 AM

    Meanwhile poll results have come out to say 98.5% of people wont be paying the Irish water tax but guess what, you wont get that on RTE! Glad I dont watch any RTE stations or pay a TV License for that shíte

    78
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gabbi Johnson
    Favourite Gabbi Johnson
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 9:47 AM

    Can you provide a link to that polling data Aaron?

    75
    See 5 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aaron B
    Favourite Aaron B
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 9:50 AM

    Just results I heard on 4fm

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Business Cat
    Favourite Business Cat
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 10:02 AM

    It only takes 20,000 IW bill payers to prove that bogus.

    Stat fail.

    41
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chin Feeyin
    Favourite Chin Feeyin
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 1:31 PM

    Aaron, you can’t just make up stuff.

    I predict, and I stress it is only my own prediction, not based on any facts, that over 90% of households will pay the Water Tax. In the same way people paid the property tax in spite of election stunts by the looney left.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aaron B
    Favourite Aaron B
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 1:57 PM

    Chin, I never said it was true, false, right, wrong and what not, I just said what I heard and I have also read it on twitter and facebook (not the greatest sources) today also, I didn’t even say if I believed it or not, all I was saying is that anything Anti-water/government will not be aired on RTE, simple as that.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Reg
    Favourite Reg
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 2:09 PM

    And that’s not true either Aaron. RTE have covered water protests etc. You really shouldn’t repeat silly tittle tattle that you’ve heard and post it as fact. Try and establish if there was such a poll and post a link to it. Otherwise it’s nonsense.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute George Grey
    Favourite George Grey
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 9:36 AM

    The real story is how 20% of ordinary military personnel are on family income supplement. This was reported on the news yesterday. Where are you Journal.ie?

    175
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joe Simpson
    Favourite Joe Simpson
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 3:36 PM

    Might be unpopular but what do you think military personnel are worth? They don’t need any special qualifications and on a day to day basis invisible, if the army disappeared tomorrow would anyone notice. And FIS isn’t exactly poverty, a man with 3 children would qualify if he earned 700 euro a week, which in most circles is decent money and that’s excluding child benefit(an extra hundred).

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gabbi Johnson
    Favourite Gabbi Johnson
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 9:27 AM

    Headline should have read – One member of the armed forces had to borrow a uniform.

    107
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nash Bridges
    Favourite Nash Bridges
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 9:37 AM

    Or

    “Pants don’t fit overweight soldier”

    126
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Will Derbylight
    Favourite Will Derbylight
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 9:21 AM

    Not that interesting, relevant or newsworthy….

    87
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute neeneee
    Favourite neeneee
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 9:18 AM

    God love them they have it so tough

    54
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Campbell
    Favourite John Campbell
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 9:19 AM

    Read the full details and you’ll discover it’s not as bad as it first appears.

    46
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute neeneee
    Favourite neeneee
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 9:22 AM

    John you must not have picked up on my sarcasm

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Denise Friary
    Favourite Denise Friary
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 10:05 AM

    The next thing we will hear is that the Army are getting help from Saint Vincent Dr Paul while their union they have booked out a conference hall and 10 rooms in the 5 star Clarion hotel in Sligo to tell us these fairy tales.

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joseph Dempsey
    Favourite Joseph Dempsey
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 9:45 AM

    Here we go again, what is it about the defence fources representative body that gives them a feeling of self entitlement. From personnel sleeping in cars, not enough uniforms, a list of allowances that defy belief (including one involving under ware). Whilst the chief of staff is an arrogant B)*!! X, personnel in the defence forces have very little to complain about. This is a non story, complete bullshite and is deserving of contempt.

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Donna L Tier
    Favourite Donna L Tier
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 12:17 PM

    Underwear allowance ??
    That was scrapped pal get with the times instead of spouting outdated scutter.
    DF personnel have a lot too worry about regarding pay etc so leave the Internet tough guy sh!t aside along with your bad attitude towards the DF.

    44
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gerard Mullen
    Favourite Gerard Mullen
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 4:12 PM

    The defence forces should stop spouting outdated rubbish. People who actually work are a hell of a lot worse off than members of the defence forces. Poor people who needed no qualification end up making same wages as people who went to university and get a full pension. What is a typical member of the defence forces day? Go to the gym, have dinner, maybe put out a few sandbags and then bed.

    4
    See 14 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute stephen
    Favourite stephen
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 4:23 PM

    @gerard just goes to show how much you know about the army

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gerard Mullen
    Favourite Gerard Mullen
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 5:28 PM

    Enlighten me then, what do the defence forces do a daily basis

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute stephen
    Favourite stephen
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 5:48 PM

    You’ve just proved my point, you haven’t a clue about what the army does or what the function of the army is yet you think you know what’s best for the country, are you involved in politics by any chance because you sound like some of the other idiots in government

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Donna L Tier
    Favourite Donna L Tier
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 6:04 PM

    @ Gerard. You really are a bitter individual and I wonder why you have this idiot view of the DF? May I ask what your working day involves because I guarantee you my working day will blow yours clean out of the water. This article is absolute bullsh!t and it’s probably the scrapings of the barrel as to what members of the DF struggle with financially and for their careers which is a whole different kettle of fish and I’m not even going to get Ito as I’ve sandbags to fill after I’m done in the gym.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gerard Mullen
    Favourite Gerard Mullen
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 7:23 PM

    So ye still never told me what exactly the army do, in the real world when employees aren’t productive we get our p45. I’ve to go now and earn my money which I pay ridiculous taxes on to pay a defence force that serves no purpose. Scrap the DF and give their budget to our police force who do something.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute stephen
    Favourite stephen
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 7:40 PM

    @Gerard firstly let me say thanks for your tax money just a few minutes ago it bought me a nice crate of Budweiser which I’m sure I’ll really enjoy and secondly we don’t have the police in this country so if you get a few minutes of a break later use google to find out 1. What the name of the “police” are in this country and 2. What the irish army do that you don’t know abou, actually forget that there’s way too much that you don’t know about and not enough breaks for you to learn. Once again thanks for the beers and enjoy work

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute stephen
    Favourite stephen
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 7:43 PM

    @donna leave some sandbags for me I’ll fill them after dinner

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gerard Mullen
    Favourite Gerard Mullen
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 8:15 PM

    I didn’t use the irish word for police because I thought since most of the privates like yourself don’t have an education ye wouldn’t have don’t irish to any sort of standard. Surprised your not drinking stella with your vest on…

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute stephen
    Favourite stephen
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 8:45 PM

    Haha “Ye won’t have don’t irish” it looks like you haven’t done any English yourself, I’m actually waiting for promotion to sergeant ( man that was a big word, hope I spelt that right ) and your right they were out of Stella but don’t worry I have my best wife beater vest on now so I’m happy

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joseph Dempsey
    Favourite Joseph Dempsey
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 9:22 PM

    Interesting responses to my legitimate comment. I had the displeasure of working very closely “in a civilian role” at the curragh. What I witnessed first hand appalled me & I wondered were butlins sponsering it. Today in another position and dealing with serving soldiers I asked their opinion. Mortified, embarrassing, nonsensical were the responses. As for the under ware allowance, surely the fact it existed in the first place is shocking enough. For the record I respect greatly our defence force. My point is these silly leaked press releases by its representative body hardly serves it members cause of which there are many I support.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Donna L Tier
    Favourite Donna L Tier
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 9:57 PM

    @joseph I won’t lie to you there was an underwear allowance as the DF issue you the lot on a yearly basis from your undies to your jacket. This article about personnel not being issued ceremonial dress (SD No1′s) I find hard to believe as we are all issues them during recruit training.
    To be honest I think this article is horrendous and only published to stir the sh!t because gone are the days where journalism was about pressing matters.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gerard Mullen
    Favourite Gerard Mullen
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 10:19 PM

    Oh sergeant, how many years did that take you. Will u finally hit the higher tax bracket.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute stephen
    Favourite stephen
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 11:06 PM

    @gerard it didn’t take me too long because I can read and write and count to big numbers like 40 which isn’t bad for somebody with “no education” and I thought all soldiers are “greatly overpaid” and if I’m ” greatly overpaid” then of course I’m hitting the higher tax bracket and then some. By the way should you not be hard at work, I’m only asking because 1. I’d hate to see you getting your p45 for not being productive and 2. I have so my expenses and allowances that need to be paid and seeing as we are getting on so well I was hoping that you’d pay them for me anyway I’m just going back to my “free accommodation” now so goodnight old buddy old pal it’s been fun

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Spilt Pint
    Favourite Spilt Pint
    Report
    Oct 4th 2014, 3:27 AM

    @Gerard – I’d dearly like to refer to your opinions as balanced but you seem to lack the requisite secondary chip on your other shoulder. DF personnel are not paid solely for what they do, they are paid for what they are capable of doing when called upon. The stability, assistance, protection and compassion they have provided on overseas missions has made them hugely popular with the people in those countries. If you showed a little foresight you might conclude that these skills could be utilised in our own country should the need arise. If you can state categorically that it won’t ever, perhaps you can give me next weeks Lotto numbers. You give out about them being “greatly overpaid” and then ridicule one for being in the lower tax bracket!! For an accountant your comments don’t add up..

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gravel Pitt
    Favourite Gravel Pitt
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 9:49 AM

    We don’t even need an army!!!

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Will Derbylight
    Favourite Will Derbylight
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 9:54 AM

    Correct Gravel. Its not that they do much fighting.

    A small ceremonial type unit would suffice.

    Like Monaco, the Vatican etc.

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Business Cat
    Favourite Business Cat
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 10:03 AM

    Break out the halberds!

    5
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Audrey Muddiman
    Favourite Audrey Muddiman
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 11:30 AM

    We don’t actually have an army – we have a Defence Force.

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gravel Pitt
    Favourite Gravel Pitt
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 12:17 PM

    OK – we don’t need that either….

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute stephen
    Favourite stephen
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 7:16 PM

    @will derbylight your comment just shows you know as much about these armies as you do the irish army. the sovereign protection of these countries is undertaking by somebody else so which other countries army would you like to protect ireland. And by the way irelands army makes up just .17 % of the entire population, in monaco it makes up .79% and in the Vatican it’s 11.9% of the population. So if you want us more like the Vatican we will need 600,000 soldiers in total

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute NowWhat
    Favourite NowWhat
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 9:36 AM

    That really is an irrelevant article. THATS called journalism?

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Steve Hardy
    Favourite Steve Hardy
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 10:15 AM

    We don’t need an army

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute stephen
    Favourite stephen
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 1:37 PM

    Do you even know what the army does on a day to day basis or are you another idiot who thinks we should get rid of the army because they heard some story about army life from the friend of a friend who once saw somebody in an army uniform

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Spilt Pint
    Favourite Spilt Pint
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 1:46 PM

    Remember your comment if the Fire Brigade ever go on strike again and your house is burning to the ground. Or if you find your community in danger from flooding or other disaster and needs an organisation trained to provide support where existing infrastructure is either inadequate or nonexistent. While you’re at it, maybe take a course in bomb disposal so you can at least stop your gas canisters from blowing up while nobody’s putting out the fire in your gaff.

    22
    See 7 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gravel Pitt
    Favourite Gravel Pitt
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 2:23 PM

    There needs to be an emergency service, yes – for calamities and disasters. But, whether or not a small country like ours needs an army – I very much doubt.

    When did our army actually last fight in an international conflict – where we as a nation had declared war? We only help out sometimes.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Carl Dineen
    Favourite Carl Dineen
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 3:56 PM

    First of all if we were fighting in a war you’d probably be the first to come on and cry about it. Second without a defence force the country would be a soft target for dissidents/terrorists/criminal gangs etc. Almost everyday there is a story about our lads on bomb call outs or protecting vulnerable people in war torn countries, medical flights and coastal protection. Pity people can’t be proud of what we have instead of being bitter and spiteful when it comes to our institutions of which the military is one of our oldest.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gravel Pitt
    Favourite Gravel Pitt
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 4:10 PM

    Carl – all of the law enforcement you mention could be better handled by an agency like the FBI. Armies are there to fight wars – we’ve never declared one and are unlikely to.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Will Derbylight
    Favourite Will Derbylight
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 4:16 PM

    Our Army was the British army, less than 100 years ago.

    Specialised agencies for anti- terror, bomb disposal, drug enforcement etc. – would be better suited, rather than our Army who are asked to do everything.

    We don’t need an Army to fight non existent wars.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Carl Dineen
    Favourite Carl Dineen
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 4:30 PM

    Not every army fights in wars. The defence forces are there to defend its countries constitution, it’s people. Are we to rely on a foreign army to occupy us if the shit hit the fan. The defence forces are a deterrent. They get the job done even when they’re are mercilessly put down by they’re own people.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gravel Pitt
    Favourite Gravel Pitt
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 5:27 PM

    Rubbish Carl. A lot of countries – like England – don’t even have a constitution.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Spilt Pint
    Favourite Spilt Pint
    Report
    Oct 4th 2014, 3:31 AM

    @gravel well THIS country does have a constitution and is the country in question so hardly rubbish.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute William Nunan
    Favourite William Nunan
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 9:48 AM

    Sure don’t we all have to hire dress suits for ceremonial occasions.
    How often do they have ceremonial occasions?
    Are they growing out of their suits?
    Napolean Bonaparte said that an army marches on its stomach. Maybe there isn’t enough marching these days!

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jack Dexter
    Favourite Jack Dexter
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 10:29 AM

    The Irish are protecting millions of euros every year when they are on the banks detail so how ironical that they are skint.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gerard Mullen
    Favourite Gerard Mullen
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 4:05 PM

    Our defence forces are greatly over paid. Graduates coming out of college are on a similar if not less money than the starting salary of the defence forces and this is after 4/5 years in university. Also take into account most of these graduates are based in Dublin paying 600+ a month for rent. Our defence forces get free accommodation if they wish and other expenses paid and a full pension. And for what? Can one member of the defence forces actually tell me what a working day involves?? If the people in the defence forces are so unhappy let them go to university instead and get a job in the private (real world) sector.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute stephen
    Favourite stephen
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 4:31 PM

    So where did you get all your ill informed information from or can I take it you got it off madeupbullshit.com

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gravel Pitt
    Favourite Gravel Pitt
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 6:27 PM

    Stephen – you just insult those with a different view to yours. Why not try to make a point/argument?

    2
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute stephen
    Favourite stephen
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 7:50 PM

    Where did I insult anybody. I asked Gerard where he got his ill informed information from because he obviously has no first hand knowledge of the DF and if he didn’t get his information from some source then it’s bulls**t that he’s made up what’s insulting about that

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Spilt Pint
    Favourite Spilt Pint
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 8:38 PM

    @Gerard – what accommodation do members of the defence forces get for free if they wish? AFAIK any soldier that lives in barracks has cost of accommodation deducted from wages at source. Please correct me!

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bill Rooney
    Favourite Bill Rooney
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2014, 3:48 PM

    To answer your question Gravel – never. We don’t need them.

    I see them running around the place (near me), shouting and roaring.

    Only the officers get good jobs out of it……

    4
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds