The Defence Forces’ military intelligence department, known as J2, is currently evaluating the banking details of active soldiers, looking for a potential correlation with Irish security firms engaged in private military contracts. This move is part of several steps taken by the elusive J2 unit as recruitment companies, such as the Irish Training Solutions (ITS) based in Offaly, have been hiring active Defence Forces members, with a particular focus on the Army Ranger Wing.
ITS, established by ex-Army Ranger Wing members Danny McCluskey and Nigel McCormack, has enlisted a number of veterans from the elite unit for their military training programmes in Libya. This is despite the longstanding UN and EU prohibition on supplying military training and equipment to Libyan factions, which aims to de-escalate conflict in the beleaguered North African nation.
In collaboration with other national agencies, last year J2 initiated an investigation into the bank accounts of certain Defence Forces staff to ascertain if they had received payments from ITS or similar businesses. J2’s efforts also include surveillance and interviews with those suspected to recruit for private military contracts.
A military insider claims that the head of J2 has pursued the case relentlessly since it first emerged. This military examination is happening in tandem with a civil law investigation being conducted by Garda, which is working to determine if criminal offences occurred due to ITS’s operations in Libya.
The scope of J2’s responsibilities encompasses both state and military security matters, with surveillance and communication interception being among their authorities. Its powers are akin to those of An Garda Síochána. J2 also vets Defence Forces employees, with regular checks performed on the Army Ranger Wing personnel owing to the high-risk nature of their roles.
In addition to J2’s probe, Defence Forces’ members have been reminded by high-ranking officers that the use of military training for private profit is strictly forbidden. There was a remission of the ban earlier this month, in accordance with the Defence Acts, barring personnel from participating in political or stealth organisations.
News of ex-Army Ranger Wing members’ engagement in Libya has stirred considerable unease within the unit’s close bonds. Following these revelations, government officials have affirmed that Micheál Martin, the Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, is reviewing laws that would prohibit active and retired Defence Forces members from taking on roles that could potentially violate international sanctions. In reaction to enquiries, a Defence Forces representative stated that they couldn’t divulge their internal security measures and procedures due to the importance of operational security. He added that maintaining internal security is a steady, ongoing, and vital part of the Defence Forces’ remit. The spokesperson emphasized that Irish citizens must avoid participation in tasks such as training Libyan personnel.