Latest news with #DefenceForces
Sky News AU
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Israel eliminates Hamas co-founder in Gaza strikes
Israel's Defence Forces says it has eliminated Hakham Muhammad Issa Al-Issa, one of the founders of Hamas' military wing. In a statement on X, the IDF says: 'Issa led Hamas' force build up, training, and planned the October 7 massacre. As Head of Combat Support, he advanced aerial & naval attacks against Israelis. 'The IDF and ISA (Israel Security Agency) will continue to locate and eliminate all terrorists involved in the October 7 massacre.'
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
Majority of carvans camped on Curragh remain despite court order, judge hears
The majority of more than 80 caravans camping on Department of Defence-owned lands in the Curragh, Co Kildare, were still there on Friday morning despite a High Court order that they leave by 1pm, a judge was told. As a result, Mr Justice Brian Cregan ordered that interim injunctions he granted on Tuesday over the alleged trespass should remain in place until further order. More than 80 caravans, believed to be occupied by members of the Traveller community who come over from England and France for the summer, had parked at a number of different locations on the Curragh plain since March, the court heard earlier this week. Their presence has resulted in 'mountains of rubbish' having to be removed at a cost so far of €31,700. Some €186,000 was spent on similar clean-ups last year in what has become an annual problem for land owners, residents, and horse trainers in the Curragh, the Minister for Defence has claimed in proceedings seeking to remove the caravans. READ MORE There have also been problems with noise nuisance, scramblers and quad bikes causing damage to greens on a golf course, dogs running around horses being trained and animals being left to graze on the plain. The Defence Forces have been prevented from carrying out training on a firing range on the lands. The case was returned to Friday when there was no appearance for any of the caravan dwellers, including 21 named individuals who it had been possible to identify. The court heard the injunction notices were either handed to the occupants or pinned by bailiffs to the caravan doors and included a 'plain English' version of them ordered by the court. Kelley Smith SC, for the Minister, said that as of 10.10am on Friday, there were 60 caravans at four different locations on the lands. One slightly troubling aspect was that one group of caravans had moved from one location within the lands to another, she said. She applied to make the interim injunctions interlocutory, which means they stay in place pending the full hearing of the Minister's case against the defendants. Mr Justice Cregan said he was satisfied to grant the orders sought and said in notifying the defendants about the orders they should be informed, again in plain English, that further applications may be brought against them. Ms Smith said in event of failure to comply with the orders, it may be necessary to apply for attachment and committal orders seeking the jailing of the defendants for contempt.
BreakingNews.ie
2 days ago
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Most of carvans camped on Curragh plain still there, court hears
The majority of more than 80 caravans camping on Department of Defence-owned lands in the Curragh, Co Kildare, were still there on Friday morning despite a High Court order that they leave by 1pm, a judge was told. As a result, Mr Justice Brian Cregan ordered that interim injunctions he granted on Tuesday over the alleged trespass should remain in place until further order. Advertisement More than 80 caravans, believed to be occupied by members of the Traveller Community who come over from England and France for the summer, had parked at a number of different locations on the Curragh plain since March, the court heard earlier this week. Their presence has resulted in "mountains of rubbish" having to be removed at a cost so far of €31,700. Some €186,000 was spent on similar clean ups last year in what has become an annual problem for land owners, residents, and horse trainers in the Curragh, the Minister for Defence has claimed in proceedings seeking to remove the caravans. There have also been problems with noise nuisance, scramblers and quad bikes causing damage to greens on a golf course, dogs running around horses being trained and animals being left to graze on the plain. Advertisement The Defence Forces have been prevented from carrying out training on a firing range on the lands. The case was returned to Friday when there was no appearance for any of the caravan dwellers, including 21 named individuals who it had been possible to identify. The court heard the injunction notices were either handed to the occupants or pinned by bailiffs to the caravan doors and included a "plain English" version of them ordered by the court. Kelley Smith SC, for the minister, said that as of 10.10am on Friday, there were 60 caravans at four different locations on the lands. One slightly troubling aspect was that one group of caravans had moved from one location within the lands to another, she said. Advertisement She applied to make the interim injunctions interlocutory which means they stay in place pending the full hearing of the minister's case against the defendants. Mr Justice Cregan said he was satisfied to grant the orders sought and said in notifying the defendants about the orders they should be informed, again in plain English, that further applications may be brought against them. Ms Smith said in event of failure to comply with the orders, it may be necessary to apply for attachment and committal orders seeking the jailing of the defendants for contempt. ends
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Ireland set to speed up defence spending by signing up to €150bn EU programme
The Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative was brought into force last month as the EU aims to become more sovereign and better equipped to defend itself. The aim of the programme is to finance urgent and large-scale investments defence technology to strengthen Europe's overall defence readiness. Tánaiste Simon Harris is expected to formally sign up to the SAFE legislative instrument today which will allow Ireland to invest in defence in a more speedily fashion. It is expected to now make it much faster for Ireland to acquire specific equipment in areas prioritised by the Defence Forces, in some cases up to two years quicker than under current procurement rules. The capability areas covered by SAFE include air defence systems, maritime surveillance, drones and anti-drone systems, as well as artillery systems. Mr Harris, who is also Minister for Defence, says he has been 'steadfast' in his commitment to invest in the Irish military. The Tánaiste also emphasised he is determined to 'provide for the development of a full spectrum of Defence Force Capabilities that will bring Ireland in line with other similar-sized European countries.' 'I have agreed, therefore, that the Department of Defence should leverage the common procurement opportunities offered under the SAFE Regulation as much as possible to progress delivery of Ireland's defence capabilities needs as quickly as possible,' he added. The European Commission says that member states that wish to invest in defence industrial production can do so through common procurement to boost production capacity and address existing capability gaps. While Ireland will focus on procuring equipment quicker through the programme, it may not require the SAFE initiative to access funds. It will also allow the EU to further support Ukraine by associating its defence industry to the SAFE initiative from the start. Announcing the instrument coming into force last month Adam Szłapka, Polish Minister for the EU, said that the first large-scale defence investment programme is worth €150bn. 'This is unprecedented instrument which will boost our defence capabilities and support our defence industry. The more we invest in our security and defence, the better we deter those who wish us harm,' he said.
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Ireland backs €150bn defence plan as EU moves to rearm
Ireland is to sign up to a major new EU defence initiative that will allow member states to jointly procure military equipment as the bloc seeks to rapidly rearm in the face of Russian aggression. The EU regulation, known as Security Action for Europe (Safe), relaxes procurement rules for defence purchases and allows countries to work together to develop and acquire military capacities. The Government believes becoming a member will allow Ireland to secure military equipment at a lower cost and faster pace – in some cases up to two years earlier than under existing procurement arrangements. The Safe initiative also makes €150 billion available to member states, in the form of low-interest, long-term loans, to rapidly increase defence spending amid doubts over the United States's future commitment to European security. READ MORE Ireland is not signing up to the loan facility yet but is closely examining it as a potential funding mechanism for the modernisation of the Defence Forces . A decision on availing of the defence loans is expected in the near future, sources said. The decision to sign up to the Safe regulation represents a significant step towards closer co-operation between Ireland and the EU on defence issues. It is likely to draw significant criticism from pro- neutrality campaigners who will view it as further erosion of Ireland's non-aligned status within Europe. During previous discussions on the proposals, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said joint defence procurement is about achieving value for money and would have no impact on neutrality. The Safe initiative is a core pillar of the European Commission's ReArm Europe Plan, which aims to inject €800 billion into the EU's defence industry over the coming years. Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Simon Harris is expected to announce the decision to join Safe today. Ireland will use its membership of the plan to focus on acquiring artillery, cyber and air defence systems as well as replacing the Army's fleet of armoured personnel carriers. Other projects include the purchase of ammunition, artillery, ground combat capabilities and drones. Under Safe, Ireland will partner with other countries to purchase this equipment, resulting in cost savings. In some cases, the equipment will be partially financed by EU loans obtained by the partner countries. For example, if Germany is acquiring a new batch of artillery shells, it will be able to amend its order to include Ireland as a partner. This would allow Ireland to obtain a small portion of the shells at a much lower price than if it had ordered them alone. Safe's goal is two-fold; to build up the military capabilities of member states and to support a native EU defence industry independent of the United States. In order to qualify for Safe support, 65 per cent of the value of purchases must be from an EU country or Ukraine. Mr Harris is expected to argue that joining Safe will allow Ireland to speed up the acquisition of capabilities such as air defence and sonar systems, two priority spending areas for the Government. He said he is determined to 'provide for the development of a full spectrum of Defence Force Capabilities that will bring Ireland in line with other similar-sized European countries,' he said. 'I have agreed, therefore, that the Department of Defence should leverage the common procurement opportunities offered under the Safe Regulation as much as possible to progress delivery of Ireland's defence capabilities needs as quickly as possible.'
