Representative Association of Commissioned Officers. Defence Forces Ireland. We champion the well-being of all our members and the wider Óglaigh na hÉireann
Ireland
Joined June 2019
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Extensive analysis earlier this week by @NiallJournal_ie on the impact of capability shortfalls (identified by the Feb 2022 DF Commission) on the EU Presidency.
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Concerns across Europe that Ireland's military shortfalls could put major summit at risk jrnl.ie/6865198
Ireland considers asking EU nations for security help during presidency, including sending a warship to Dublin for air defence.
A consequence of decades of underinvestment in our @defenceforces people and capabilities.
@IRLDeptDefence
@IRLDeptPER
irishtimes.com/ireland/2025/…
Finally, thank you to the @staff_command and @SchoolInfantry Instructors, @MaynoothUni faculty and particularly the amazingly supportive families who make all of these intensive career development courses possible. 3/3
Well done to Lt Cdr Donnchadh Cahalane, who received the award for best overall student, best Research Thesis and best overall Master's Degree.
Congratulations to Capt Stephen Bunney and Capt Charlene Kehoe, the best students on the 7th and 8th Land Command & Staff Courses. 2/3
On 30 October 2025, RACO presented the Lt Gen Tadhg O'Neill award for best overall result on the 7th Joint Command & Staff Course, and Director of Infantry awards for the best students on the 7th & 8th Land Command & Staff Courses at @MaynoothUni.
Congrats to all graduates! 1/3
Today, RACO attended the 127th Inf Battalion @irishpolbatt review at Custume Barracks, Athlone. Tánaiste & Minister for Defence, @SimonHarrisTD reviewed the unit, accompanied by @DF_COS.
The unit, commanded by Lt Col Mark Lennon, deploy to UNIFIL in Nov for 6 months. Good luck!
Pleased to attend Conferring of Awards ceremonies for several of our members in South East Technological University (SETU) today.
Members received Masters of Science degrees in Communications Technology Management, and Military Engineering Management.
Congratulations to all! 👨🎓
Our last day with @irishpolbatt in Camp Shamrock included excellent briefings from Battalion staff on a range of HR & other matters, and a ground briefing.
Thanks to Comdts Andy Shinnick & Tom MacHale Roe, and Capt Tomás Morley for their time.
Also bumped into Fr Paul Murphy!
🙏 to OC @irishpolbatt Lt Col Ed McDonagh & team for facilitating the visit, & to DCOM Sector West Col Bradley & staff. There’s a really positive vibe among the Battalion, and we got plenty of great questions on areas like Working Time Directive, overseas pay & Post ‘13 pensions.
Grateful for the chance to visit our members in Camp Shamrock @irishpolbatt, @UNIFIL_ SW HQ & @UNIFIL_ HQ over the past few days, to brief them about current issues in the representation space, and our Annual Conference last week. They are doing fantastic work! 🇱🇧
More 📸 below👇🏻
Withdrawal from Lebanon will offer a chance for a “reset” and allow @defenceforces to “focus on national defence”, @DF_COS says. “We have a big task next year with hosting the EU presidency, it will draw on our resources across all three services.”
irishtimes.com/ireland/2025/…
irishexaminer.com/news/arid-…
'Half the number of officer cadets have left @naval_service before completing training in last 5 years — an "alarming" situation that needs "immediate" action.'
RACO President: “This has to be a very worrying figure for @defenceforces & @IRLDeptDefence."
Our Chaplains are hugely important members of the @defenceforces, as this piece from @NiallJournal_ie shows.
“The padre, dressed in the same Irish military camouflage as the troops, is on his 6th overseas deployment”.
@SimonHarrisTD jrnl.ie/6846276
We had an excellent and thought provoking presentation today from Mr. Paul Clarke, Marketing & Fundraising Officer with @OneFuchsia on the important work that they do for @defenceforces veterans, and the BAVAC (Buy a Veteran a Coffee) Campaign. RACO is proud to support O.N.E.
The ODF confirmed that there was no follow up mechanism to check if recommendations accepted by the Minister are actually implemented by the @defenceforces and @irldeptdefence. We suggest an annual update on these to ensure accountability and delivery.
