There’s a scramble amongst governmental and defense authorities to contain the damage caused by allegations of both active and retired Irish military personnel, who have reportedly been providing training to the military of a dissident Libyan general, a clear violation of EU and UN sanctions. The Irish police initiated a preliminary inquiry to identify any potential breach of criminal law. Additionally, Deputy Prime Minister Micheál Martin has called for an explanation from Seán Clancy, the head of the Defence Forces.
Mr. Martin voiced his desire to establish more robust laws, intended to prevent current and past Irish military people from aligning with private military contractors (PMCs), violating international sanctions in the process. It’s anticipated that senior defence officials of both the Defence Forces and the Defence Department will be subpoenaed to testify before an Oireachtas committee about this controversy.
However, it isn’t the first instance of Irish Defence Forces being required to handle repercussions arising from their members taking contentious overseas jobs.
Ever since the outbreak of American wars in Afghanistan and Iraq early this century, the demand for contractors with military training has surged. This need has traditionally been filled by soldiers – driven by the prospects of better remuneration and at times more action – enrolling with PMCs in droves. They often end up functioning as bodyguards, consultants and military trainers in politically unstable countries in Africa and the Middle East. Irish soldiers have behaved in much the same way.
The Defence Forces permit its personnel to take what is known as “harvest leave”, originally enacted so soldiers could assist with farming activities during harvest season at their homes. Over time, the purpose of this leave has evolved beyond farming and now allows soldiers to undertake activities like education, travel or caring for a sick family member.
On several occasions, this leave has been used to seek employment in the private sector, occasionally with PMCs. One notable instance was when a young Irish officer utilised his leave for a short-term security role in Iraq after the US invaded the country in 2003. This was discovered by his superiors, and he resigned quietly amidst potential military law investigation threats.
Years down the line, five Irish soldiers on leave were found providing private security services to the Seychelles government, struggling with a pirate issue at the time.
An incident within the Defence Forces prompted an internal examination. It was deduced by military lawyers that while the troops’ actions were not improper, there was a need for preventive measures to stop similar engagements by on-duty personnel in future. Today, a high-ranking position in the Defence Forces is held by one of the involved soldiers.
It was around the same period that some personnel were found to have travelled to Afghanistan for security tasks, while another was speculated to be using his vacation to join the Kurdish YPK extremist faction in Syria.
In response to these incidents, a formal prohibition was installed, preventing Defence Forces members from utilising their military training for personal profit. It was fashioned to be intentionally broad, and as noted by a military insider, it theoretically obstructs someone who learnt truck-driving in the Army from doing the same in his free time. But the regulation is seldom exercised fully. Its primary aim is to ward off engagement in PMC tasks by troops, that could potentially put the military in a bad light.
A company ‘Irish Training Solutions’ (ITS) based in Co Offaly, was formed by ex-Army Ranger Wing members Danny Cluskey and Nigel McCormack. It primarily selects retired personnel from Defence Forces to impart training to a unit of special forces working for Khalifa Haftar, the octogenarian Russian-backed general who governs much of eastern Libya, opposing the United Nations-approved Tripoli-based government. But in one instance, a member of the Defence Forces, who was still under military law, took up work for ITS. This member was serving the remainder of his leave in Libya after filing his resignation from the military.
Another scenario involved a serving member who allegedly used his parental leave to work briefly for ITS and then returned to his division. The military authorities decided there was inadequate proof to press charges. Concerns have also been raised over the involvement of not just serving members, but retired personnel as well. The hiring of ex-Irish military staff by ITS, particularly from the Army Ranger Wing, could potentially tarnish the state’s reputation significantly.
Alarm bells have reportedly been rung by the US officials in discussions with their Irish counterparts, about the ex-Irish soldiers’ training of Haftar’s forces.
Many security firms based in Ireland are actively recruiting ex-military personnel and former law enforcement officers, including some from renowned units like the Army Ranger Wing, and the Garda’s Emergency Response, Liaison and Protection units. However, the majority of these recruits are typically from standard units, boasting specific skill sets in areas such as medicine, telecommunications, and driving.
There is stiff competition between these firms for contracts with governmental departments, non-governmental organisations, and the European Union. Such contracts usually involve relatively uncontroversial tasks such as embassy security, providing personal safety for international dignitaries, and training staff to navigate hazardous environments.
In a notable incident last year, ITS employees were targeted by disgruntled Wagner mercenaries in Libya, upset that ITS were edging them out of business.
The intricate world of geopolitics also holds implications for these security companies. For instance, Abdullah Duibi, an Irish-Libyan national and former CEO of the Libya-based Security Side, shifted gears in 2020. His former firm had provided training to the Government of National Accord forces in Libya, a UN-supported faction vying for power against Haftar’s Libyan National Army.
Recently, Duibi set up a new Ireland-based firm, Septimius Security, which has done exceptionally well, earning lucrative contracts from the EU, setting up ten global offices, and expanding their team to over 200 employees. The company has made concerted efforts to hire ex-military and former law enforcement officers over the last year.
However, some other security firms attempt to expand their operations by winning contracts from governments and organisations in developing regions, a move which can potentially pose reputational risks.
Years ago, an Irish company, Glenevin, which was founded by former Army Rangers won a contract to offer security services to the Ugandan government, including training its public order unit and enhancing the reputation of their police force with a team of 20 Irish personnel. It also offered anti-piracy services in the Seychelles and security training in Nigeria. Glenevin, which shuttered in 2018, faces no allegations of misconduct.
Contracts with organisations such as the Ugandan police were highly profitable, fetching a cool €5 million for just a year’s work. Other enterprises saw the success of Glenevin in Africa and were inspired to join the action, as one industry insider explained.
In a 2017 interview with the official Defence Forces magazine, we were recognised as one of the global leaders in our industry, despite being known for underselling ourselves. This level of excellence is maintained across all positions, as stated by Danny Cluskey.
Danny Cluskey, a previous Army Ranger and the founder of ITS, was the youngest person ever to complete the challenging selection course for the Army Ranger Wing in 1986, and he excelled as a sniper. Over the next twenty years, he held the position of head instructor in close protection and also embarked on numerous overseas tours, including East Timor.
In 2004, while still serving with the Wing, he took advantage of his harvest leave to lead a sizeable close protection team for a UK PMC in Iraq. Cluskey recalled his simultaneous roles as an Irish Army Ranger Wing member and a civilian contractor to a US podcast in 2021, admitting it was unsustainable after about a year.
He set up Global Risk Solutions with fellow ex-ranger Nigel McCormack after spending around two years in Iraq, initiating bodyguard courses in Ireland. They found work providing protection for receivers of insolvent and indebted enterprises, such as the Quinn Group during the economic downturn.
The pair went on to secure contracts with the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, along with various firms and agencies across Africa and the Middle East. Global Risk Solutions opened an office in Saudi Arabia to offer security training and won a lucrative contract to train personnel to guard oil rigs in Nigeria.
A former co-worker praised Cluskey’s charisma and diverse skill set, making it easy for him to attract clients. Cluskey has always prioritised hiring individuals with military experience from the beginning.
In a 2017 discussion with An Cosantóir, the magazine of the Defence Forces, a spokesperson highlighted the global recognition they receive, despite their modest claims. Noteworthy standards pervade all rankings within their organization – upholding order, mastering self-representation and understanding the chain of command and courtesy.
The same write-up outlined the range of services provided by the company. This encompassed comprehensive protection, investigations, mobile security and surveillance. In addition, they extended private training programs, for which discounts were provided to both existing and former Defense Forces personnel.
Much like several other security firms, a panel of independent erstwhile military personnel were set up for short-term employment opportunities when necessary. With its base in Athlone, important networks were established off-shore as well as locally over the years. One of its major recruits in 2013 was Felix McKenna, the ex-leader of the Criminal Assets Bureau.
Unusual earnings were generated from facilitating training conducive to adverse climates and other ancillary services to the press. The firm notably provided assistance to RTÉ during the production of ‘Tested on Humans’, a reality television show in 2015. As part of the show, the hosts underwent a mock tiger kidnapping experience, with Cluskey working as an expert critique on the show.
However, acquiring sizable contracts, much like other security establishments, remained a challenge. An industry insider shared that this reality may have propelled the shift in their approach.
By 2020, ITS had been crafted by Cluskey and McCormack from the same location as Global Risk Solutions, as indicated by business reports. Three years post this, their association with Global Risk Solutions was formally terminated as directors.
The duo then capitalized on their global military and political associations to secure a contract to transform Haftar’s 166th Bridge into an elite forces unit. “We played the role of instructors for snipers, provided specialist snipers for training, and provided support for mortars, medical and machine gun operations,” shared an ex-soldier who was part of the operation.
Their shift in strategy appears to have yielded significant financial benefits, for now.
The agreement struck in 2023 is thought to value over €10 million, propelling ITS among the premier ranks of Irish private security firms and pitting them against contentious global players like the Wagner Group, known for fighting on Russia’s side in Ukraine. In the previous year, ITS staff were targeted by angered Wagner mercenaries in Libya over allegations of the Irish firm poaching their clients, according to sources.
Predicting the future of ITS due to the recent headlines is a challenging task. Despite the considerable contract in Libya making it tough to withdraw, it’s doubtful that Haftar will show much regard for probes by the gardaí or the Department of Enterprise, which is responsible for scrutinising violations of UN or EU embargos. Nevertheless, it also appears improbable that the Irish company will be contemplated for upcoming ventures with the Irish Government or the EU, considering their recent selection of customers.