Newly graduated army recruits have had the gifts they gave to trainers returned after they were deemed too expensive.
Commanding Officer Mark Hearns of Dundalk Barracks learnt of the gifts being provided to two Defence Forces members. He instructed that two top-of-the- range phones, a Samsung and an iPhone, and the vouchers (totalling a value of over €1500) were returned to the 30 soldiers.
The newly graduated soldiers had finished their training for the Defence Forces, and traditionally pool together to buy gifts for their trainers following the passing parade.
“Generally, it might be a football or a rugby top, perhaps a bottle of something,” an informed source said. In this case, however, the recruits went beyond the call of duty.
If the gifts are not returned, they will be raffled among the soldiers in an effort to fundraise.