During the troubles and particularly in the 1970s border security was undertaken by unarmed Garda backed up units of the Irish Army. In particular, after the bombing and assassinations in border areas by loyalist gangs run by the British Army, generally Garda checkpoints were a few miles ‘south’ manned by Garda and a platoon of Infantry. Some main crossings for example Blacklion, Lifford etc did have permanent Irish Army checkpoints for a time.
The Irish Army’s ability to meet a border security role was however severely compromised about a decade ago when its 4th Brigade HQ in Athlone was closed down. It had coordinated operations over 10 counties, including Connaught, the Leinster Midlands and the Ulster Counties of Donegal and Cavan, with 263km of the border.
CR Gas Secrets Remain Sealed « The Celtic League
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RAF Incursion Into Irish Airspace Queried by League « The Celtic League
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Holy Loch is not just a footnote from history
This month is the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the US nuclear submarine base at Holy Loch on the Clyde. The event was not without controversy. While it brought prosperity to the Dunoon area it was also the focus of protest until it was closed and the submarines sailed away.
The base was established as a NATO operation to maintain a ‘nuclear deterrent’ to the Warsaw Pact. It complemented the nearby Royal Naval nuclear base and both attracted the presence of Soviet Navy (and Warsaw Pact) vessels to counter them.
‘Torpedoed’ – Royal Navy Help Saudi’s Vet Aid Shipments to Yemen
It’s been known for some time that Royal Air Force personnel have been assisting with US counterparts in Saudi command and control centres engaged in coordinating the bombing of Yemen. In addition the only thing keeping the Saudi Air Force in the Air are fortnightly flights of spare parts from Warton (Lancs) fitted by UK sourced ‘civilian’ contractors.
However it’s also now become known that Royal Navy personnel are assisting the Saudis in monitoring UN aid shipments into the country. Yemen is facing a devastating food crisis and medicines already in short supply in a country whose health centres and hospitals are targets for Saud warplanes are also subject to embargo. The RN personnel the UK say are providing support to help the UN’s Verification and Inspection Mechanism (UNVIM) to ‘facilitate’ commercial imports into Hodeidah and Saleef ports in Yemen. All shipping to these ports is checked at