Personnel from the Defence Forces are continuing to provide support to a number of care home facilities around the country including three in Cork.

CORK navy member Donnchadh Cahalane has commenced his role as captain of the LÉ James Joyce. The Dunmanway native, who joined the naval service in 2002, is thrilled with the role which he took up yesterday. “It is a huge honour,” he said.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has described Ireland's place on the United Nations Security Council as an "enormous responsibility and honour". Ireland officially took its seat on the Security Council on January 1 for a two-year period.

WHEN Brian Murphy left Collins Barracks in 2016, he had plans to learn new skills and a new language. Four years later, he has returned to the frontline in response to a scheme aimed at reenlisting former soldiers back to the Irish Army. Ann Murphy hears his story

Over 50 Cork soldiers will be spending their Christmas deployed overseas with the largest number in South Lebanon.

A Cork software technology firm has teamed up with the Irish Defence Forces to introduce a smart wearable device to manage Covid-19 protocols among its troops.

PATRICIA O’Sullivan has become the first woman in the history of the Naval Service to achieve the rank of Chief Petty Officer. The Cork native is very proud of her recent promotion.  “It is a great honour. I am delighted.

A new hostel for homeless defence forces veterans is to be established in Cobh with another facility being considered for the city.

Funding has been made available for the upgrading of the Spencer Jetty in the Haulbowline Naval Base to provide for the berthage requirements for the naval service fleet.

The Naval Service Vessel LÉ William Butler Yeats (P63) has detained a French registered fishing vessel approximately 45 nautical miles south-west of Mizen Head.

Minister for Defence and Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, praised the "professionalism and pride" of the Defence Forces at a Naval Service commissioning ceremony in Haulbowline.

The LÉ Eithne was given a blue light send-off at the Port of Cork yesterday as Operation Fortitude comes to an end.

Members of the naval service onboard the LÉ Eithne came to the aid of an individual who got into difficulty while swimming in the River Lee today.

A French-registered fishing vessel has been detained by the Naval Service off the west Cork coast. The LE Bernard Shaw stopped it for an alleged breach of fishing regulations 180 nautical miles west of Mizen Head.

Former Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, retired Lieutenant General James (Jim) Parker, has been lauded as an exemplary figure who "displayed all of the values that underpin Óglaigh na hÉireann" following his passing.

THE LÉ Eithne is expected to dock in Cork city this afternoon to be on standby as a possible testing centre for the coronavirus.

The Defence Forces have confirmed that an audio message being widely circulated on social media, which suggests that the army will be deployed on Monday morning, is a hoax.

A GARDEN near Cobh town centre had to be sealed off this afternoon after a suspicious device was found.

MORE than 2,500 Defence Forces personnel, including a number from Cork, were deployed during US president Donald Trump and vice president Mike Pence's visits to Ireland this year.

ACCOMMODATION for 85 people will be developed at the Naval base in Haulbowline next year to tackle the number of personnel forced to sleep on naval ships.

THE number of people serving in the Navy has fallen by over 40 members since 2010 and is now at its lowest level in a decade.

A FORMER soldier in Collins Barracks has branded the current pay and conditions in the army as “plain wrong and disrespectful”.

NAVAL personnel are leaving the defence forces to take up jobs in discount supermarkets such as Aldi and Lidl. At least 60 personnel have left the Irish Navy since the start of this year, with a further 12 due to leave in the coming weeks.

A PARADE will be held in Cork next Saturday to highlight concerns about pay and conditions of members of the Navy.

Top Navy Surgeons General and other senior medical personnel from 25 nations representing NATO member countries, their partners and other nations were in Cork last week for a major medical conference.

A MAN digging in his garden found a World War II grenade. The man came across it in the Bridgewater areas of Crosshaven yesterday afternoon. He raised the alarm and a team from the army went to the scene to secure the grenade.

YOUNG people who are fascinated by weapons and military have a chance to become members of the Irish Navy.

MORE than 400 soldiers, sailors, and members of the air corps have flocked from the Defence Forces in the last four years, before finishing their training.

THE Irish Defence Forces were the hosts as a number of forces from different countries trained together at Kilworth Camp in Cork.

MEMBERS of the Defence Forces in Cork are being forced to turn to illegal money lenders to handle back-to-school costs and many are already dreading the cost of Christmas.

TWENTY-FIVE naval servicemen and servicewomen took part in their passing out parade at the at Cork's Naval base in Hawlbowline. The recruits from the 40th Potential NCO class were joined by their families and friends for the important occasion.

THE Dutch ship broker who snapped up the LE Aisling at a bargain price has defended his efforts to resell the vessel just two months later for six times the price.

THE wives and partners of soldiers and sailors are planning a national protest at the headquarters of the Defence Forces to highlight concerns about pay and conditions in the army and Navy.

ALMOST 1,000 teddy bears have been gathered by naval vessel personnel in the past week for children who will be rescued by the LE Eithne in the Mediterranean next month.

THE families of soldiers and sailors claim they have to resort to money lenders and that some are on the family income supplement because of low wages.