Cathal Berry, an independent TD, has expressed his belief that Irish citizens should abstain from the kind of work that involved former members of the Defence Forces in training Libyan military troops. As a previous Defence forces officer himself, he further suggested a legal change to implement a reliable regime to uphold international sanctions on corporations.
Last year, the Offaly-based Irish Training Solutions, established by ex-Irish soldiers, recruited exiting and former members of the Army Ranger Wing (ARW) and Defence Forces. They were tasked to coach the 166 Infantry Brigade of Haftar, part of which will serve as a special forces unit.
These activities occurred in the region of eastern Libya, controlled by Haftar and supported by Russian Wagner mercenaries, Egypt, and the UAE. This situation conflicts with the Irish Government’s actions, which had deployed a naval vessel last year to boost international efforts to impose an arms embargo.
Concerning the ex-Defence Forces personnel training Libyan troops, Mr. Berry, a former senior ARW officer and now Kildare South TD, stated that such work should not engage any Irish citizen, regardless if it’s a common international practice.
Mr. Berry highlighted the existing sanction enforcement regime’s inadequacies in Ireland, stressing the need for effective regulation of Ireland’s corporate sector. He stated that companies’ current employer, not their past one, holds responsibility.
He suggested that amendments in the Companies Act are necessary to enforce global corporate sanctions rigidly. He indicated that the responsibility lies with the Department of Enterprise, Trade, and Employment. Additionally, he emphasised the need for better monitoring of compliance, potential penalties for individuals and organisations deliberately defying sanctions that Ireland agreed to and better appeals mechanisms.
Following these criticisms, the Government has commenced inquiries into the company’s alleged violation of UN sanctions with its activities in Libya.
A representative for Micheál Martin, the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, confirmed that an investigation has been initiated by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The investigation, which is still in its initial stages, is in response to allegations that could mean potential breaches of sanctions. “Every possible route in the investigation will be explored”, the representative affirmed.
In addition, Mr Martin has instructed his staff to look into how legislation could be enhanced to regulate the conduct of ex and current Defence Forces personnel in nations that are under sanctions from the UN or EU.
According to the representative, “No Irish national should ever consciously involve themselves in activities that violate these sanctions. This is particularly true of ex-members of the Irish Defence Forces,”
Former soldier Danny Cluskey, who is a part-owner of Irish Training Solutions, has worn patches of his prior unit, the ARW, on his battle attire during training, as displayed in photographs.
” I have no comment to make,” said Cluskey (58), the owner of the company based in Clara, Co Offaly. He remained silent when asked more detailed questions.
There was no reaction from the remaining directors of Irish Training Solutions to persistent requests for comment last month, who did not explain how their training provision did not contravene the UN’s arms embargo.
Similarly, there was no reply to queries that were submitted to the company’s office premises in Clara the previous week.