Former army man urges support for Dublin march tomorrow

A former soldier from Mullingar is warning that Ireland’s defence forces and gardaí are in need of “respect and loyalty” as there may be “dangerous consequences” from Brexit and the possible reunification of Ireland, while other threats include terrorism, industrial and cyber espionage.

“The soon-to-be external border of the EU in Ireland cannot currently be secured for customs or immigration control,” says Noel O’Callaghan, retired regimental sergeant major, who is urging the public to participate in a parade in Dublin on Wednesday September 19 dubbed as being “in support of the defence forces”.

The flier for the event says that the defence forces are suffering from both “political neglect and institutional indifference” and that Ireland is in a time of uncertainty for state security.

Mr O’Callaghan is stating that the state has “never” reciprocated the unquestioning loyalty of the army, air corps, naval service and the reserve.

Stating that the presence of garda and defence forces has been “thinned out along the border with Northern Ireland”, Mr O’Callaghan says.

“Corporate knowledge of the border is dangerously diminished by a lack of operational presence. Non-professionals in the public service have been allowed to dominate critical strategic security decision making.”

He goes on to state that the Defence Forces “currently deliver 15 bespoke services to state security, in Ireland”.

“No other organ of the state has the capability to deliver them,” he says.

Mr O’Callaghan says that the Defence Forces are haemorrhaging highly trained experienced personnel daily. Recruitment is not keeping pace with the numbers leaving.

“There is a policy deficit, political indifference, and an institutional drive in the Department of Defence to undermine the Defence Forces leadership by stealth,” he claims.

“The disastrous 2012 reorganisation of the Defence Forces has come home to roost.

“Help save the Defence Forces before it reaches a stage of no return.”

The well known former soldier, who was based in Columb Barracks for all of his military career until its closure in 2012, has called on the people of Westmeath to support their friends and neighbours in the Defence Forces.

“Together, we have an opportunity to make a difference; to show the struggling men and women of our Defence Forces that they are not alone, that we as a society do care and for once, we will stand up for them as they’ve always done for us.

“It’s not a protest march. It’s a parade honouring respect and loyalty and we need our local and national representatives to stand up and be counted. We want the public and politicians to stand up for the soldiers,” he says.

The September 19 parade is from the military memorial at Merrion Square to Leinster House.

The event will start at Merrion Square at 11.45am with a number of speeches and a wreath laying ceremony.