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.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
MORE THAN 500 members of the Defence Forces took part in a major exercise today on how to respond to a major terrorist attack.
It took place at a number of locations, including Dublin Port and Dublin Airport.
It centred on how the Defence Forces would respond to a possible request from An Garda Síochána following a ‘major on-island terrorist incident’.
The Defence Forces practiced various operational and tactical procedures while undertaking the exercise.
The operation involved members of the elite Army Ranger Wing, the Naval Service and the Air Corps, along with members of An Garda Síochána.
Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Mark Mellett described the exercise as a success:
The primary purpose of today was to exercise our plans and our ability to provide the military capability to support An Garda Síochána in the event of a major terrorist incident.
“The exercise was a success, we have identified lessons from it and we will continue to build on them in future exercises.”
The Defence Forces constantly prepare on an on-going basis to support the Civil Authorities in the event of a national security incident.
It says it will continue to enhance its response capability with more exercises in the future.
Minister with Responsibility for Defence Mr. Paul Kehoe said, “It is vital to ensure that the men and women of the Defence Forces are prepared to support An Garda Síochana in the event of a major terrorist incident.
“This exercise allows the Defence Forces to build on their capabilities and preparedness and develop their procedures with An Garda Síochána.”
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Top Class Troops, by any Army’s standards.
@Paul Culligan: I agree and heavily under paid which does nothing for moral.
@Declan Byrne: Army Ranger Wing, high proporion of NCOs, SF pay, I bet they’re pretty well paid.
@Reg: Bet again, and owed back pay by DoD for years too…
@Reg: Some are owed over €30,000 in unpaid wages.
absolutely top class guys/girls, respected all over the world, and terrible to see how they are treated by our own government, who may one day have to depend on them.
ARW, The very best.
Army guys know their job, well trained and capable. We should be proud of the service they give particularly as peacekeepers.
@James Keogh: If we want to do something for these professionals please petition the minister of defense to give them a working living wage and good working conditions.
Arrest, detain, and deport all known extremists who reside here. Tell the ECHR to do one. The first role of government is the safety of its citizens.
@Chad Rockett: deport them ,i agree, why we are allowing anyone of there religion into ireland,?They do not want to intergrate into our society. the new bolders on GRAFFTON STREET should be enough ,to tell the irish people that the goverment knows somthng that they are not telling the irish people about.
@Christy Pop: Commenters here were giving out that they couldn’t see the hidden bollards. Now they can, you’re complaining that they’re visible.
In fairness, following the Bataclan incident, I was made aware of a potential incident at an event I was holding. The Gardai were superb in their advice on the night and thankfully it went off without any trouble. Our defense forces and the Gardai in general do a great job.
@Audrey Muddiman: Draw Muhammed cartoon competition?
@Audrey Muddiman: Jihadi Blind Date?
It’s was a top class exercise and our army are paid very poor wages and conditions .
always worth a decent pay rise ,and the army dont threaten mutiny .
Well done to all our Defence Forces Personnel & Gardaí who took part today. More of these type of exercises are needed to ensure our security forces are prepared for possible incidents that may take place here. Our troops deserve more respect and payment for the job they do on all our behalf’s.
Preparing for the hard border…
@Andy K: or an influx of extreme non-Western ideologies.
@Andy K: Interestingly enough , the Army ranger wing was set up so we would have a unit who could secure roads and vital towns in the north should we have had to go in and rescue the Nationalist population of the north .
About the only time the government showed a bit of foresight .
@Ken Hayden: if we had to ‘go into’ the north, the brits wouldn’t be long in kicking the sh ite out of us
@Hurt Stoogie: That wouldn’t be in dispute , but we would have had to be seen to do something .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2onyJ-067U
@Ken Hayden: The ARW were set up during Garret Fitzgerald’s time in the early 80′s. They creation had nothing to do with an invasion. They were set up to deal with kidnappings and siege’s which were happening almost weekly in the eighties.
Catherine McGuiness; Don Tidey ; Leydens Siege and others. The “invasion” you mention was contemplated in the late sixties in reaction to the violent attacks on the Catholic population in NI at the start of the most recent conflict there. The Army had no special forces at that time.
@Hurt Stoogie: During WWII, a bomb was dropped on Belfast. Every fire engine for miles went there to help out, including Dublin’s. They still thank us.
A sad reality that it’s come to this
Fair play to our brave men and women in the Defence Forces
Fair play to all involved, nice bit of hardware on show.
Unfortunately it’s going to be the norm in 21st century multicultural europe
What was the criteria for success?
@the phantom: looking the business
Looks like they had fun! It’s what they train for after all
Gives them something to do
Wonder if they still throw fake grenades & shout “bang”
@Ronan McDermott: fire crackers I believe
In Stansted yesterday and seeing armed response walking around it was weird, but unfortunately it’s the times we are living in, I’d rather be safe than sorry
These people are top class.
The only problem is how do they get to Dublin or Roslare port at 4:30 on a Friday from all over the country without t hellicopters. The Luas
@AvA renewables: that’s why they have helicopters
Ahh no for 500 troops it would take t four 2 men helo,s a while. T four men helo,s of which there are 2 in service at any time will also struggle.
@AvA renewables: were you drunk writing that masterpiece ?
@AvA renewables: there are bases in Dublin and close to any likely targets. The ARU and ERU are also within ten minutes away in Cork Limerick and Dublin.
have your say