Army Ranger Wing

Irish Army Ranger Wing
Sciathán Fiannóglaigh an Airm

Shoulder flash and insignia of the Irish Army Ranger Wing
Active 16 March 1980 – present[1]
Country  Ireland
Branch Irish Army
Type Special forces
Role Special operations
Size Classified
Estimates vary; ~ 150 operators[2] "well over a hundred"[3]
Part of Defence Forces
Garrison/HQ Curragh Camp, County Kildare[4]
53°08′50.8″N 6°49′47.4″W / 53.147444°N 6.829833°W
Nickname "Fiannóglaigh/Fianóglach"[5]
"Devils of Kildare"[6]
Motto Glaine ár gcroí, Neart ár ngéag, Agus beart de réir ár mbriathar[7]
(The purity of our hearts, the strength of our limbs and the commitment to our promise)[7]
Colors Bottle green (beret)[8]
Engagements United Nations Operation in Somalia II
International Force for East Timor
United Nations Protection Force
United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus
United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon
United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara
United Nations Mission in Liberia
United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad

The Army Ranger Wing (ARW) (Irish: Sciathán Fiannóglaigh an Airm, "SFA") is the elite special operations forces of the Defence Forces, the military of Ireland. The Army Ranger Wing is a branch of the Irish Army, with personnel drawn from the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service. It serves at the behest of the Defence Forces and the Government of Ireland, operating overseas and internally. The ARW was officially established in 1980. The unit is based in the Curragh Camp, County Kildare,[7] and is estimated to have a manpower of 150 or "well over a hundred" operators.[3][2]

Army Ranger Wing personnel have served overseas in a number of international peacekeeping missions, including in Somalia, East Timor, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Cyprus, Lebanon, Western Sahara, Liberia, and Chad. The ARW trains with a number of similar special forces units in the western world, mainly in Europe and North America.[9] The ARW is also tasked with domestic duties, such as counter-terrorism, intelligence gathering, hostage rescue and close protection. The Army Rangers work with the Defence Forces' Directorate of Intelligence (G2), the military intelligence agency, and trains with the specialised firearms and tactics service of the Garda Síochána (national police), known as the Emergency Response Unit (ERU).[4]

Roles

Irish Army Ranger Wing tactical team conducting urban counter-terrorism (CT) training

The Irish Army Ranger Wing has a number of responsibilities, both foreign and domestic, within the Defence Forces and externally to the Irish government and her agencies. Its roles are divided between military conventional and unconventional warfare ("Green Role") and specialist Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP) duties ("Black Role");[10]

Military tasks

Offensive operations behind enemy lines

Defensive operations

Aid to the civil power tasks

History

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, a number of Irish Defence Forces personnel attended the United States Army Ranger School in Fort Benning, Georgia.[11] On their return, these personnel organised similar courses with the goal of bringing the standards of training throughout the Defence Forces into line with accepted international standards, aspiring to reach the bar set by NATO. The first course was conducted at the Military College in the Curragh Camp, County Kildare in 1969. Students on these courses were selected from among all ranks and units of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service, which covered physical endurance, marksmanship, individual military skills and small unit tactics.[4][12] Formalising these standards and the creation of the Army Ranger Wing resulted from the increase in international terrorism in the 1970s and early 1980s,[13] such as the 1972 Munich massacre in Germany (then West Germany) and a spate of hostage-takings by the Provisional IRA at home.[14][15] The increased skills and endurance training of "Ranger" personnel provided the basis for the creation of a new specialist unit to counter these threats, as well as to provide better operational support to deployed Irish troops globally.[13] The Army Ranger Wing (ARW) was formally established, in accordance with the Defence Act, by Government order on 16 March 1980.[1][12] The first official mission of the ARW was to be deployed in Somalia (see UNOSOM II), 1993, under the umbrella of the United Nations (UN).[3]

Name and motto

The unit's official name is Sciathán Fiannóglaigh an Airm,[16] which is translated from the Irish language into English as "Army Ranger Wing". Fiannóglaigh (representing "Rangers") is an amalgamation of two words. Fiann is closest to the English word "warrior", and refers to the ancient band of warriors known as Na Fianna in Irish mythology. Óglaigh literally means "young soldiers", and is often translated as '"volunteers". Use in this context refers to the name of the Defence Forces in Irish: Óglaigh na hÉireann ("Irish Volunteers").[7] Na Fianna were purportedly expert warriors, so the addition of the word Fiann before Óglaigh denotes an elite element to the unit. The shoulder flash insignia of the unit uses Fianóglach, which is the singular version of the word Fiannóglaigh.

The motto of the Army Ranger Wing in Irish is: "Glaine ár gcroí, Neart ár ngéag, Agus beart de réir ár mbriathar", which translates as "The purity of our hearts, the strength of our limbs and the commitment to our promise" in English.[7]

Command, control and communications

The Officer Commanding of the Army Ranger Wing is responsible for the administrative, disciplinary and operational control of the unit, and is in turn directly under the command of the Chief of Staff at Defence Forces Headquarters and the Minister for Defence at the Department of Defence.[17] Estimates variously put the strength of the wing at approximately 150[2] or "well over a hundred"[3] members. The identity of the members in the unit is classified.[18] Civilian hairstyles and facial hair are permitted, to enable members to avoid being recognised as military personnel. The Army Ranger Wing is headquartered in the Curragh Camp, and members must live within a defined radius. The unit also has a presence at McKee Barracks, Dublin.[19] Training is carried out nationwide at a number of Department of Defence properties, including Lynch Camp in Kilworth, County Cork.[20] The ARW is on immediate call 24/7, 365 days a year for operations throughout the state, and may be deployed anywhere on land in the Republic of Ireland within two hours[21] using Air Corps aircraft and up to 200 miles out to sea via the Naval Service vessels and/or Air Corps aircraft within a matter of hours. In the event of a major terrorist, hijacking or hostage incident, the ARW may be called to aid the Garda ERU, and in the past they have been put on standby to assist the Irish Prison Service during major prison riots. The ARW have also provided security at Ireland's maximum-security Portlaoise Prison. The wing has on occasion been tasked for search and rescue (SAR) operations, as the ARW have Arctic survival specialists.[22] Besides sanctioned international military missions, the unit may be deployed overseas to protect Irish diplomatic missions and diplomats (particularly in times of war or civil unrest in host countries), to provide close protection to members of the Irish government travelling overseas,[23][24] to rescue kidnapped Irish citizens[25] or to conduct intelligence operations. The unit also trains foreign military personnel.[17]

The ARW is equipped with SINCGAR ITT, Harris and Racal communications equipment, which have an inbuilt encryption and frequency-hopping systems. It is also equipped with satellite communications, through the ARW C3 (Command, Control & Communications) function and in cooperation with the Communication and Information Services Corps (CIS) of the Defence Forces. This means ARW teams can communicate with their GHQ from anywhere in the world. The Army Ranger Wing Intelligence Section also has the ability to carry out remote signals, communications and electronic espionage working with the G2.[17][26]

Training and recruitment

A sniper training exercise involving Irish Army Rangers

The Irish ARW trains and operates with other military and law enforcement special operations forces worldwide, including the 75th Ranger Regiment and Delta Force of the United States,[8][27] JTF2 and CSOR of Canada,[27] SAS of the United Kingdom,[28] GIGN of France,[29] GSG 9 of Germany,[8] JW GROM of Poland,[29] GIS and COMSUBIN of Italy,[8][29] UIM of the Netherlands,[8] SOG and FJS of Sweden,[29][30] SASR of Australia,[4] and NZSAS of New Zealand,[4] among others. In 2015, the Irish Army signed agreements with their British counterparts to deepen joint special forces peacekeeping co-operation,[31] extending from previous deployments with British special forces in a number of combat zones.[32] Exchanges of personnel between international units occur regularly.[8]

Selection and training for the Army Ranger Wing lasts 34 weeks,[33] where skills such as special reconnaissance, combat diving and parachuting are taught. Selection takes place annually, usually beginning in October, with a preliminary 4 week course.[33] Candidates must be serving members of the Defence Forces,[33] from any of the three branches (Army, Air Corps or Naval Service).[34] They are not subject to any age limit and there is no rank in the selection process.[35] Selection is open to females, although none have passed the initial training course.[36][3]

The preliminary 4 week selection course is organised into a number of distinct phases. In the first phase, instructors demonstrate the basic requirements to become a Ranger, and candidates must pass a number of initial physical tests, including; water confidence, assault courses, individual navigation tests as well as a 10 km combat run.[35] In the second phase, candidates are taught special forces tactics such as surveillance, reconnaissance, combat intelligence gathering, search tactics, and ambush organisation.[33] The course culminates in a 45 km group march which must be completed in a set time. During selection, potential recruits get an average of just 4 or 5 hours of sleep within a 24‑hour period. If a candidate fails more than 3 out of 9 basic tests they are returned to their home unit.[35] A selection course may only be attempted three times by any candidate.[35]

In all, candidates must complete assessment in the following areas:[27]

Of the candidates that start the annual Ranger Wing selection course (average is 40 to 80 soldiers), 85% do not make it past the first 4 weeks.[35] Since its inception, 11,000 soldiers have attempted selection, but only 400 have completed training (as of 2012).[37] All candidates who successfully complete the "Ranger Course" are presented with the Fianóglach shoulder flash.[35]

If a student passes selection at this stage, they are sent on a further six-month special forces skills course. This course includes survival training, long-range penetration, mountaineering, counter-terrorism, urban warfare, CBRNe defence, advanced combat shooting (handling of all weapons used by the ARW), sharpshooting, close quarters combat, unarmed combat, riot control, close protection, advanced driving, advanced navigation, advanced first aid (taught by the Defence Forces Medical School), explosives intervention (taught by the Army Ordnance Corps), boat handling, combat diving, (taught by the Naval Service Combat Diving Section),[38] fast-roping and skydiving (taught by Air Corps crews).[35] Approximately 85% of Ranger training is dedicated to counter-terrorism.[30] Upon passing this selection course and a further probationary period, they then earn the right to wear the highly prestigious green beret and are officially recruited into the ARW.[27] On average, a member of the ARW spends between 5 and 10 years serving with the unit. The average age of an ARW member is above 30 years old.

There are a number of platoons within the Ranger Wing, comprising five assault teams each, specialising in areas such as urban combat, explosives demolition, scuba diving and parachuting. A support platoon provides expertise in bomb disposal, medical treatment, maritime and aviation operations. Parachutists are qualified after 5 jumps (day and night, over land and sea), and must jump at least 5 times a year to retain their qualification ("wings"). Team members also undergo precision firing, bus/train/ferry/oil platform and aircraft assault training (anti-terror) as well as spying and observation techniques. The ARW has its own purpose built tactical training facilities, including shooting ranges, kill houses and various urban and rural settings. The main facility is known as "Tac Town", based in the Curragh. Other ranges are located in County Wicklow. These facilities are also made available to the ERU.[39]

Notable missions

Personnel from the Army Ranger Wing have seen active service in a number of peacekeeping missions around the world with the United Nations, European Union (EU) and Partnership for Peace (PfP) of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (the Republic of Ireland is not a full member of NATO, due to its military neutrality).

Somalia

The ARW's first official mission overseas was in Somalia in 1993,[3] as part of UNOSOM II,[40] where a number of teams joined the United States led peacekeeping coalition designed to impose a ceasefire in the Baidoa region.[41] Over 100 Irish troops took part in the mission, during which the ARW wore US military uniforms to blend in with American troops.[42] The ARW mission in Somalia ended without loss of life.

East Timor

In 1999, Dáil Éireann (Irish parliament) voted to send the ARW to serve with the International Force for East Timor (INTERFET).[43] Mandated under a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution, INTERFET was a peacekeeping force deployed to restore security in the region, support and protect the UN Mission in East Timor, and to facilitate humanitarian assistance operations. The detachment of 40 ARW personnel was involved in peacekeeping duties with Canadian and New Zealand special forces near the West Timor border. There were no ARW casualties in East Timor, with Ireland's contribution to the mission ending in May 2004.[43][44]

Liberia

The ARW was deployed in Liberia following the Second Liberian Civil War as part of a peacekeeping contingent of more than 400 troops from the Defence Forces, in turn part of the mixed Irish-Swedish Force Reserve Battalion of the United Nations mission in the country, UNMIL (2003).

One of their most successful missions during this deployment was the rescue of a large group of civilians captured by gunmen from renegade Liberian forces.[45] Acting on intelligence, a team of twenty heavily-armed Army Rangers were dropped via helicopters at the town of "Gbapa".[45] To avoid casualties among the hostages, the Ranger Wing implemented a policy of less-lethal intervention and, after surrounding a 40 foot container holding 35 hostages, rescued them and captured the rebel forces, including their commander.[45][46] The incident, which resulted in no Irish casualties, drew praise from the international community and boosted the reputation of Irish special forces worldwide.[47]

One member of the ARW, Sergeant Derek Mooney (33) of Dublin, was killed when his vehicle was involved in a motor vehicle accident during a convoy.[48]

Chad

Irish ARW Special Reconnaissance Vehicle in Chad in 2007

An ARW force of more than 50 was deployed in 2008 to Abéché, Chad[49][3] as part of the peacekeeping European Union Force Chad/CAR mission. The ARW arrived in February 2008 and successfully completed reconnaissance missions to select a mission base for the Irish Defence Force and Dutch deployment (later named "Camp Ciara"). The ARW also identified threats on the ground to EU forces, and secured areas of the Chad-Darfur border.[50]

Other overseas missions

In October 2005, members of the Army Ranger Wing and Arabic-speaking intelligence officers from G2 traveled with an Irish Government delegation to Baghdad, Iraq,[25][51] following the abduction of Irish journalist Rory Carroll by al-Qaeda militants.[52] Following negotiations with Irish, British and American governments, Rory Carroll was released unharmed days later and returned safely to Ireland.[53] From 2006 to 2014, it has been reported that operatives from the ARW Intelligence Section and G2 were on the ground in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Sudan, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina as part of various international missions.[54] As of 2015, members of the Army Ranger Wing are serving missions on three continents, including training foreign forces in Africa and the Balkans, protection duties in Lebanon for the United Nations mission and security and intelligence operations on the Israeli-Syrian border (Golan Heights).[3] It has been reported that the ARW could deploy 30 men in the Gulf of Aden in 2015, subject to Government, Dáil and Presidential approval ("triple-lock"), to protect international shipping lanes against Somali pirates as part of the EU's Operation Atalanta.[55]

Domestic missions

The ARW has been involved in a number of domestic affairs in Ireland, in a security and intelligence capacity. Several international events in Dublin City have seen the ARW deployed in a supplementary role to the Garda Special Detective Unit (SDU) and ERU. These are done under the ATCP agreements. The unit had a significant role in protecting Queen Elizabeth II on her historic visit to the Republic of Ireland in mid 2011,[56] where "viable" assassination attempts by dissident republican terrorists were prevented.[57][58] The ARW had airborne sniper teams in three AgustaWestland AW139 helicopters, counter assault teams in the motorcade and a number of ground teams, including 20 close protection officers.[56] President of the United States Barack Obama also received protection from the ARW on his visit to Ireland just days after the visit of the Queen.[59][56] The two visits were the largest security operations ever undertaken on the island of Ireland,[60][61] both ultimately successful. The wing also formed part of the security apparatus for the 2013 Presidency of the Council of the European Union, held by Ireland for six months, and the 39th G8 summit (2013) in Northern Ireland.[62]

Casualties

Three members of the Irish Army Ranger Wing are known to have died while serving in the unit since its foundation in 1980, one of them overseas.[63] Sergeant Derek Mooney, aged 33, of Blackrock, Dublin, died after the Land Rover Defender he was driving in a convoy overturned due to poor road conditions, 40km south of Monrovia, Liberia on 27 November 2003. No other losses have been publicly disclosed.[64]

Equipment

An Army Ranger Wing CT fast-rope intervention exercise on the Irish Sea

Weapons

In addition to standard weapons of the Irish Defence Forces, weapons used by the ARW include;

Personal weapons

Pistols

Combat shotguns

Assault rifles/Carbines

Submachine guns

Sniper rifles

Light machine guns

Support weapons

Vehicle-mounted weapons

Specialised equipment

ARW members in a Ford model special reconnaissance vehicle (military parade in Dublin, 2006)

Terrain vehicles

Watercraft

Parachuting

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Unofficial Army Ranger Wing Motto Page". Archived from the original on 18 October 2009. Retrieved 28 September 2009.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Lavery, Michael. "The Rangers at 30". The Herald Newspaper. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 Tom Brady (1 February 2014). "Ranger Wing grows in size by one-third". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 2014-02-24. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 "Unofficial Irish Army Ranger Wing Page". Archived from the original on 12 March 2009. Retrieved 13 April 2009.
  5. ↑ "Sciathán Finnóglach na hAirm (Army Ranger Wing)". 28 January 2009. Shadow Spear. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  6. ↑ "Irish Army Air Ranger Wing, or The "Fiannóglaigh"". 2012. loadoutroom.com. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 "The Irish Army Ranger Wing (ARW)". 2014. Defence Forces Ireland. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 "Irish ARW Selection Course". 2014. Defence Forces Ireland. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  9. ↑ "Army Rangers among best elite forces". Irish Independent Newspaper. 23 November 2012.
  10. ↑ "Roles of the Army Ranger Wing (ARW)". 2014. Defence Forces Ireland. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Christopher Shepard. "Multi-Mission Warriors". Tactical Weapons. Archived from the original on 26 March 2010. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Irish Department of Defence. "Army Ranger Wing History". Irish Defence Forces. Archived from the original on 26 February 2009. Retrieved 13 April 2009.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Specwarnet's Irish Army Ranger Wing Page". Retrieved 13 April 2009.
  14. ↑ Carry, Robert (28 May 2010). "Ireland’s most infamous tiger kidnappings". joe.ie. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  15. ↑ Reilly, Jerome (24 November 2012). "A clear and present danger". Irish Independent. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  16. ↑ "Sciathán Fiannóglaigh an Airm (SFA)". 2014. Defence Forces Ireland (as Gaeilge). Retrieved 17 May 2014.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Irish Department of Defence. "Army Ranger Wing C3 Function". Irish Defence Forces. Archived from the original on 30 June 2011. Retrieved 13 April 2009.
  18. ↑ "Rangers in Chad guerillas encounter". The Herald. 22 May 2008. Retrieved 11 February 2015.
  19. ↑ "ARW member with AW50 @ McKee Barracks". MilitaryPhotos.net. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  20. ↑ O'Riordan, Sean (11 August 2014). "Army sets its sights on €1m digital firing range at Kilworth camp". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
  21. ↑ Bushe, Andrew (16 February 2011). "Ireland to beef up crack commando unit". Irish Echo. Retrieved 16 May 2014.
  22. ↑ "Airlift of stricken Wicklow climbers begins". breakingnews.ie. 10 February 2009. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  23. ↑ "Enda Kenny visits war-torn Lebanon under protection of Irish elite forces". Irish Daily Star. 17 June 2014. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
  24. ↑ McMahon, Cathal (17 June 2014). "'We've got your back Taoiseach': Enda Kenny visits troops in south Lebanon". Irish Mirror. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Harden, Tony (25 October 2005). "Westerners face new fears as Rory returns to his delighted family". Irish Independent. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
  26. ↑ "Espionage Information: Ireland, Intelligence and Security". 2004. Encyclopedia of Espionage, Intelligence, and Security. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 27.3 27.4 27.5 27.6 Leroy Thompson (1 March 2013). "Ireland's Army Rangers, Page 1". Tactical Life. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  28. ↑ McDonald, Henry (23 December 2001). "Elite Irish troops on standby to keep peace in Afghanistan". The Guardian Newspaper. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 29.3 "Irish Paratroopers (Internet Archive mirror from January 2008)". Archived from the original on 2 January 2008. Retrieved 13 April 2009.
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 Brady, Tom (10 May 2007). "Elite anti-terrorist units join forces for rescue exercise". Irish Independent. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  31. ↑ "Defence co-operation agreement a sign of deepening relationship with our neighbours - "Marching in step with UK"". The Irish Times. 14 January 2015. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  32. ↑ Collins, Stephen (12 January 2015). "Ireland and UK agree historic defence agreement". The Irish Times. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 33.2 33.3 Irish Department of Defence. "Army Ranger Wing Selection Course". Irish Defence Forces. Archived from the original on 13 July 2011. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
  34. ↑ "Army Ranger Wing". Irish Defence Force. Archived from the original on 25 May 2011. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 35.2 35.3 35.4 35.5 35.6 "Unofficial Army Ranger Wing Selection Page". Retrieved 13 April 2009.
  36. ↑ Dáil Éireann. "Written Answers – Defence Forces Deployment.". Oireachtas. Retrieved 1 October 2009.
  37. ↑ "Hostile Environment (RTÉ One)". RTÉ Television. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  38. ↑ "Unofficial The Irish Defence Forces Army Ranger Wing Combat Diving Page". Retrieved 1 October 2009.
  39. ↑ Lally, Conor (29 April 2009). "Garda centre axed over cutbacks". Irish Times. Retrieved 15 May 2014. (subscription required)
  40. ↑ "Second United Nations Operation in Somalia". Defence Forces Ireland. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  41. ↑ "Ireland's History with the UN". 2000. Irish armed forces in service of the United Nations. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
  42. ↑ "Irish Camouflage Patterns". 2014. Camopedia. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
  43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 "Overseas Operations – UNAMET, INTERFET, UNTAET & UNMISET". Irish Defence Forces. Archived from the original on 2 December 2008. Retrieved 1 October 2009.
  44. ↑ Dáil Éireann. "Written Answers – Army Ranger Wing.". Oireachtas. Retrieved 1 October 2009.
  45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 45.2 Tom Brady (8 January 2004). "Crack troops rescue hostages from gunmen in daring raid". Irish Independent. Retrieved 13 April 2009.
  46. ↑ "Smith praises Irish UN rescue in Liberia". Radio Telefís Éireann. 8 January 2004. Retrieved 13 April 2009.
  47. ↑ Ruairi Kavanagh. "Liberia: Waking from the Nightmare" (PDF). Signal Magazine. Retrieved 1 October 2009.
  48. ↑ James McKenna (28 November 2003). "Irish Army Ranger killed in Liberia". Indymedia.ie. Retrieved 1 October 2009.
  49. ↑ "50 Irish troops arrive in Chad". Radio Telefís Éireann. 21 February 2008. Retrieved 13 April 2009.
  50. ↑ "Irish Special Forces, Elite Army Ranger Wing in Chad". 28 February 2008. RTE News. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  51. ↑ King, Stephen (21 October 2009). "British spooks’ story sheds light on key aspects of modern Irish history". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  52. ↑ MacAskill, Ewan (20 October 2005). "Guardian journalist abducted in Baghdad". The Guardian Newspaper. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  53. ↑ "Kidnapped reporter freed in Iraq". BBC News. 21 October 2005. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  54. ↑ Clonan, Tom. "Irish Intelligence Staff Work From Kosovo To Kabul". 1 January 2006. Dublin Institute of Technology | School of Media. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
  55. ↑ "Army's elite to take on Somali pirates in Aden". Irish Independent. 2012-09-18. Archived from the original on 2014-02-24. Retrieved 2014-02-24.
  56. ↑ 56.0 56.1 56.2 Lavery, Don (22 January 2013). "No-fly zone over Dublin Castle for EU Presidency". Irish Independent. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  57. ↑ Kelleher, Lynne (6 April 2014). "Arrests made to protect Queen, reveals Callinan". Irish Independent. Retrieved 16 May 2014.
  58. ↑ McDonald, Henry (16 May 2011). "Irish police arrest dissident republicans before Queen's visit". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  59. ↑ Lavery, Don (1 December 2012). "Snipers equipped with record-breaking rifle". The Independent. Retrieved 16 May 2014.
  60. ↑ Roberts, Laura (17 May 2011). "The Queen in Ireland: security operation is largest in republic's history". The Telegraph. Retrieved 16 May 2014.
  61. ↑ Hogan, Eugene (23 November 2012). "Visit sparks biggest security operation in history of State". Irish Independent. Retrieved 16 May 2014.
  62. ↑ McDonald, Henry (11 June 2013). "G8 summit: Irish trade unions call in human rights monitors". The Observer. Retrieved 16 May 2014.
  63. ↑ "In memory of those who died while serving in the Army Ranger Wing". 19 March 2010. Defence Forces Ireland. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  64. ↑ Finn, Melaine (24 November 2012). "Bad road a factor in death of Army ranger in Liberia". Irish Independent. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  65. ↑ 65.0 65.1 65.2 65.3 65.4 65.5 65.6 65.7 65.8 65.9 65.10 65.11 "Unofficial Army Ranger Wing Weapons Page". Archived from the original on 13 March 2009. Retrieved 13 April 2009.
  66. ↑ 66.0 66.1 "Unofficial The Irish Defence Forces Army Ranger Wing Weapons Page". Retrieved 1 October 2009.
  67. ↑ 67.0 67.1 67.2 Tactical Weapons, May 2010 Issue. Guns of the Elite: Multi-Mission Warriors, page 92.
  68. ↑ 68.0 68.1 68.2 Thompson, Leroy. "Irish Republic’s tough-as-nails spec ops units...". 1 March 2013. Tactical Life. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  69. ↑ Gourley, S.; Kemp, I (November 2003). "The Duellists". Jane's Defence Weekly (ISSN: 02653818), Volume 40 Issue 21, pp 26–28.
  70. ↑ "New ARW Weapons". D&I Magazine (July 2004)
  71. ↑ 71.0 71.1 Lavery, Don (6 November 2011). "Irish Independent Article". Retrieved 6 November 2011.
  72. ↑ 72.0 72.1 72.2 Tactical Weapons, May 2010 Issue. Guns of the Elite: Multi-Mission Warriors, page 93.
  73. ↑ "Pathfinder Parachute Group Europe (Ireland)". 2014. Pathfinder Group UK. Retrieved 16 May 2014.

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Coordinates: 53°08′50.8″N 6°49′47.4″W / 53.147444°N 6.829833°W