Niall O'Connor

THE IRISH DEFENCE Forces has said it is disappointed about how the memorial to members who died in service was recently used as an access point to an event.

Photographs emerged of bins and signs placed at the site of the eternal flame and monument inside Dublin’s Merrion Square, just metres from the back of Leinster House. 

The image was circulated by Defence Forces Sergeant Major Keith Caffrey, on his X account in which he raised the issue. 

The image showed rubbish bins as well as signs for access to VIP areas and ticket sales inside the Taste of Dublin event. People also were using the commemorative granite benches to eat items they bought or were given. 

The memorial, designed by artist Brian King, consists of a granite pyramid with windows showing a bronze depiction of members of the Army, Navy, Air Corps and Reserve standing guard over an eternal flame which emanates from a Defence Forces badge at the centre.  

The Irish Defence Forces hold an annual commemoration at the site which in military culture has significant meaning. Wreaths are laid by dignitaries and by relatives of some of the military personnel who died. 

In a statement the Irish Defence Forces said it wished to “express its disappointment”.

“The Defence Forces National Memorial is a place of remembrance for members of Óglaigh na hÉireann who have died in service to the State. It represents sacrifice, service and duty, and holds deep significance for veterans, serving personnel, families and the wider community.

“As with all memorials dedicated to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, its primary purpose is to provide a dignified space for reflection and remembrance. The significance of such monuments lies not only in their physical presence, but in what they represent to those who gather there to honour the memory of the fallen,” the statement said. 

@DubCityCouncil & @TasteDublin
You are aware this is, National Memorial to Members of the Defence Forces who died in the Service of the State?

First image is how it should be, & second image today

Corporate VIP suite!
Ticket Sales!
Refuse collection!

Lack of #Respect ☘️🇮🇪☘️ pic.twitter.com/oOoM6EQj5i

— DF_Sgt_Major (@DF_Sgt_Major) June 11, 2026

‘No disrespect’

Cathal Berry, a former TD and military officer in the Irish Army Ranger Wing, spoke of his disappointment. 

“I have no doubt that no disrespect was intended, but events like this proves that there’s a lack of awareness in relation to the defence community in Ireland, and there’s multiple alternative entry and exit points from Merrion Square that could serve the same purpose without desecrating the memory of our fallen heroes,” he said. 

Senator Gerard Craughwell, who is also a military veteran, called for protections for memorials across Dublin.

“This is disgraceful. A national memorial to our Defence Forces should never be treated like an afterthought. Placing bins and advertising beside it is an act of profound disrespect to every man and woman who served, and especially to those who never came home,” he said. 

The Represenative Association of Commissioned Officers (RACO) said in a statement: “This is extremely disappointing, and is a very poor reflection on how military service and sacrifice is seen in Ireland. We would hope that this is addressed by Dublin City Council without delay.”

A soldier stands guard at the memorial. Rollingnews.ie Rollingnews.ie

Araon Kearney, President of PDFORRA, which representatives non-commissioned ranks in the military spoke of how its members hold the monument as a solemn location.  

“The optics of the photo that has circulated has led to anger from both serving and retired members as we as an organisation hold the monument in Merrion Square dear to us. It is a place where we gather every year to remember our colleagues lost in service.

“It is a place of reflection for members of the DF and their families. Those thoughts should have been considered in relation to using the area around the moment,” he said. 

It is understood that senior military management spoke to Dublin City Council today and that the bins were removed. 

A statement from Dublin City Council said: “The Defence Forces Memorial was placed in Merrion Square Park, one of the city’s busiest public parks inside one of its main entrances. This is also therefore an entrance point to any events in the park.

“Dublin City Council Parks staff maintain the surrounds of the memorial and they have made improvements in recent years to enhance the setting. The Memorial is therefore treated with great respect. There were a couple of temporary bins located at the Memorial and these have been re-located.”