Shortages of officers in the Defence Forces have resulted in bomb disposal experts and marine engineers having to work 70 and 65 hours a week respectively without any overtime. It showed officers guarding Portlaoise Prison were doing 65 hours a week, those on guard duties at Shannon Airport were doing 53 hours a week and bomb disposal officers up to 70 hours. A Naval Service officer of the watch was doing 63 hours a week. He said that bomb disposal NCOs were on average putting in 56 hours a week and bomb disposal unit drivers were doing 60 hours. Comdt King said it “wasn't unusual” that young lieutenants would put in 60 hours a week.

Source: Evening echo November 30, 2018 17:15 UTC