Protests take place over army conditions
PROTESTS have taken place outside the offices of Fine Gael ministers Paul Kehoe and Michael D’Arcy to highlight what former members of the defence forces claim are unworkable conditions that army and air force personnel have to endure.
Speaking to this newspaper about the protests, retired NCO Brian O’Farrell said it was part of a nationwide campaign that will be stepped up over the coming months to highlight the need to improve the conditions of defence force members.
The protest followed in the wake of two similar events in recent weeks – the most recent of which took place last month when former members of the Air Corps picketed Minister Kehoe’s office.
He told this newspaper that he had met with the protesters and that an independent review is underway to ascertain what steps can be taken.
Meanwhile Mr O’Farrell said the protests are likely to increase in regularity over the coming weeks as the campaign is ‘ramped up’.
While the army protests are in relation to general pay and conditions the air corps members are protesting personell being exposed to potentially hazardous chemicals.
The former members who took part in the protest in Enniscorthy included Andy Corbett, Johnny Hutchinson, Tony Hutchinson and Brendan Doyle while in Gorey the protestors included: Eddie Cashin, Bernard Maguire, Willie Gilbert and Derek Harbage.