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‘An inspiration’ – 200 student soldiers graduate from local university

By Kilkenny Now 6th November 2024 0

South East Technological University (SETU) awarded over 200 members of the Irish Defence Forces in recognition of their academic achievement at a special conferring ceremony at the University’s Kilkenny Road Campus in Carlow. The ceremony is Ireland’s largest annual military graduation from a higher education institution. At this year’s ceremony in

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‘Sacrifice and resilience’ – Kilkenny soldiers returning from Lebanon will have to quarantine for 14 days

By Kilkenny Now 22nd May 2020 0

The Defence Forces has paid tribute to the “scarifice and resilience” of the Kilkenny-based 115th Irish Battalion and their families after their rotation home from their tour of duty Lebanon was confirmed today. Óglaigh na hÉireann said it is planned that the 115th Battalion, which is based at James Stephens Barracks and includes four-time All-Ireland […]

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Kilkenny legend goes 4,728km distance to help frontline workers in fight against Covid-19

By Kilkenny Now 2nd April 2020 0

Kilkenny hurling legend Paul Murphy may be almost 5,000 kms from home as he and his battle to keep the peace in Lebanon, but that hasn’t stopped him from doing his bit to protect those at home at the coalface in the fight against Covid-19. The big-hearted Danesfort star and his comrades in the 115th […]

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COVID-19 LATEST: Defence Forces readied for coronavirus emergency

By Kilkenny Now 12th March 2020 Post a comment

The Defence Forces are preparing to respond to requests of assistance from the Government as unprecedented new measures were announced to combat the spread of Covid-19 today. A statement issued by Óglaidh Na hÉireann today said Defence Forces personnel have been told all non-essential activities have been suspended in an effort to provide support to […]

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Good news for Kilkenny soliders as Defence Forces get pay rise

By Kilkenny Now 4th July 2019 0

By COLIN BARTLEY MEMBERS of the Defence Forces from Kilkenny and soldiers serving in our local James Stephen’s Barracks will see an increase in their take home pay as of today. The financial boost comes as part of a €10m remuneration package for the defence forces agreed by the Government. The increases will focus on […]

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Army lends some firepower to Teac Tom’s 24-hour charity cycle in Kilkenny

By Kilkenny Now 28th May 2019 0

TEAC Tom has drafted in an army of volunteers – including some actual members of the Defence Forces! – as part of a major fundraising drive this weekend. The Kilkenny suicide and bereavement charity will stage its annual ‘Around the Clock’ charity cycle, which will get take place from 4pm on Friday, May 31 until […]

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‘Restore pay and morale to our Defence Forces’ – Kilkenny election candidates

By Kilkenny Now 24th April 2019 0

TWO local Independent election candidates are joining forces with some well-known former members of the Defence Forces for a special public meeting in Kilkenny to discuss the need for better pay and conditions for our soldiers. Independent councillor and European election candidate Breda Gardner will be joined at the meeting by Oireachtas member and Independent […]

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Kilkenny soldiers among Irish troops stranded in Syria after flight fiasco

By Kilkenny Now 4th April 2019 0

KILKENNY soldiers are among the Irish troops serving in Syria whose flight home after serving a six-month tour of duty in the war-torn country was delayed. The 130 troops of the 58th Infantry Group stationed in the Golan Heights as part of the UNDOF mission were scheduled to fly out of Beirut and land in […]

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Defence Forces ‘in grave danger’ – Kilkenny TD hits out at ‘Government inaction’

By Kilkenny Now 14th March 2019 0

KILKENNY TD Deputy Bobby Aylward has launched a scathing attack on the Government, accusing it of failing to provide proper support for our Defence Forces. Deputy Aylward spoke out in the wake of the publication of a new report by the Representation Association of Commissioned Officers (RACO), which revealed four out of every five recently […]

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Army life was ‘absolute boredom’, says Kilkenny hurling star Colin Fennelly

By Kilkenny Now 1st February 2019 0

KILKENNY hurling star Colin Fennelly has given a searingly honest account of life in the army – describing his six years in the Defence Forces as “absolute boredom”. The Ballyhale Shamrocks clubman said he got “no job satisfaction” from his time in the Defence Forces. And he added that “in the army itself, there’s nothing […]