#NavalService - The Echo.ie writes of appalling pay and conditions endured by those in the Defence Forces saw retired members picketing politicians’ constituency offices across the country.

In Clondalkin Village last Saturday, former Defence Forces members picketed to remind local politicians that they “have a vote”

Anthony Gallagher, a Harelawn resident and member of the Defence Forces from 1976 to 2007, served two tours in the Lebanon.

“Serving soldiers can’t protest, so we decided to hold pickets and let all our local TDs know that we haven’t gone away,” said Anthony.

“Unlike the gardai, we have no union, although we do have a representative association.

"The pay and conditions are very bad. Even to this day, you have a lot of young soldiers taking their own lives.”

For more on the exudus of personnel from the Defence Forces click here.