Tag Archives: Irish Defence Forces

AN Ennis man has been promoted to the position of Deputy Chief of Staff (Support) for the Defence Forces. Major General Adrian Ó Murchú, originally from Hermitage and son of the late Christy and Bridie Murphy, took up his new role from September 29 having been appointed by the government.  In this role he is responsible for personnel, logistics, infrastructure, finance, legal, medical and other combat service support functions for Defence Forces activities at home and overseas.    General Ó Murchú joined the Permanent Defence Forces in 1982 as a member of the 59th Cadet Class. Prior to that, he spent several years in the Army Reserve (22nd Infantry Battalion FCA) in Ennis. After commissioning, he saw early service in the 6th Infantry Battalion, the Army Ranger Wing, Military Intelligence and the Infantry School. Later appointments included Second in Command of the 5th Infantry Battalion, Chief Instructor of the Cadet School, School Commandant of the UN Training School Ireland and Commanding Officer of the DF’s …

THE Irish Defence Forces and the HSE Covid-19 Support Team are providing significant external support to an Ennis community hospital, which has been severely hit by staff defections following a major Covid-19 outbreak. It is the first time that the Irish Defence Forces has provided non-medical logistical assistance to a long-stay residential facility in Clare since the start of the pandemic. There were 20 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Cahercalla Community Hospital and Nursing Home  earlier this week. According to SIPTU, more than half of Cahercalla’s 60 healthcare assistants (HCA) 36, were out as positive cases or close contacts. The union has outlined 12 out of the hospital’s 28 nurses were also off work and one nurse left. One kitchen attendant and one cleaner were also off work. However, the HSE has provided a total of 18 nurses and healthcare assistants and ten agency staff, which varies on a daily basis. SIPTU health official, Mark Quinn has confirmed staff are …

Today (Tuesday) is World Red Cross Red Crescent Day and the Irish Red Cross Society, which is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, is joining the global celebration. On this day, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement comes together to thank all its volunteers who willingly give their time, energy, expertise and effort to help others. Just recently, at the Volunteer of the Year Awards, the Irish Red Cross recognised the efforts of our own volunteers here at home, and those who have particularly excelled in their field were presented with awards. Irish Red Cross work at home includes first aid and ambulance cover, mountain and lake search and rescue services, and health and social care programmes. The society is also playing a key role in resettling Syrian refugees in Ireland and also runs a restoring family links programme. It is also the responsibility of the Irish Red Cross, like all national Red Cross …