The Irish Defence Forces have issued a statement saying that a barbecue held at McKee Barracks in Dublin in July during the Covid-19 pandemic was “inappropriate”. The statement came after an investigation into the event found that it broke pandemic laws. The investigation was launched after photographs of the barbecue were shared on social media.
The investigation found that the event did not adhere to social distancing guidelines and that the sharing of food and equipment made it a high-risk event. The report also found that the Defence Forces had failed to properly communicate Covid-19 guidelines to its members.
Reacting to the report’s findings, the Defence Forces said that the barbecue “was not consistent with the Covid-19 restrictions in place at the time”, adding that “the Defence Forces regrets that this event occurred and will be implementing measures to improve adherence to Covid-19 restrictions”.
The investigation was conducted by Brigadier General James Shortall, who presented his findings to the Minister for Defence, Simon Coveney. Coveney said that he was “disappointed” by the report’s findings and that there was “no excuse” for the event to have taken place.
The incident has been criticised by politicians across the political spectrum, with Sinn Fein’s Mary Lou McDonald calling for an apology from the Defence Forces. The Green Party’s Patrick Costello said that there needed to be accountability and transparency in the Defence Forces.
The incident has raised questions about the culture within the Defence Forces and their attitude to Covid-19 guidelines. The Defence Forces have been heavily involved in the country’s response to the pandemic, providing testing facilities and personal protective equipment.
The investigation is the latest in a series of incidents involving the Irish Defence Forces in recent years. In 2019, an internal report found that the forces were suffering from “critical” staff shortages and morale issues. In 2018, an investigation revealed that a number of soldiers had been involved in the abuse of prisoners during the Iraq War.
The issues raised by the incidents are likely to be discussed at a forthcoming review of the Defence Forces, which is due to take place next year. The review will examine the Defence Forces’ role, structure, and equipment, as well as their relationship with the Irish Government and the public.
Despite the criticisms, the Defence Forces have been praised for their response to the pandemic. The forces’ medical corps has been involved in setting up Covid-19 testing centres and providing medical support to nursing homes.
In conclusion, the investigation into the barbecue at McKee Barracks has highlighted the need for greater adherence to Covid-19 guidelines within the Irish Defence Forces. The incident is likely to be discussed at a forthcoming review of the forces, which will examine their role, structure, and relationship with the Irish Government, as well as their response to the pandemic. While the incident is regrettable, the forces have been praised for their overall response to the pandemic, which has involved setting up testing centres and providing medical support to nursing homes.
