An increasing number of recruits from the Republic are joining the British army in the North, it was revealed today.
Army Recruitment in Northern Ireland revealed that 16 per cent of all those enlisting since April were from south of the Border - up from the 10.5 per cent recorded in the previous year.
There has been a centuries old tradition of Irishmen joining the British army , and this appears to have been rekindled following the ending of conflict in Northern Ireland. “It’s just history repeating itself,” said one military observer.
Lieut Col Dick Rafferty, the head of Army Recruitment in Northern Ireland, said: “I am delighted that this trend is continuing. . . . there is an ever increasing awareness of what the army can offer any young person."
Six young men who signed up in Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, today came from Cork, Limerick and Dublin. Four were joining the Royal Irish Regiment, one the Royal Engineers and another the Parachute Regiment.
One of new recruits, Andrew Warrington (22) from Co Mayo, said: “The army has always interested me and I wanted to do something different. There are so many opportunities with the army and I am really excited about what it has to offer me - travel is just one of those.
“I know that I could end up in Iraq or Afghanistan but I have intensive training to do before that happens.”
PA