Irish Army rangers storm Kildare shopping centre amid major drill operation
Irish Special Operations Forces (IRLSOF), the Army Ranger Wing, in conjunction with the Air Corps conducted a routine mission readiness exercise in the vicinity of Whitewater Shopping Centre, Newbridge, on Monday
The Irish Defence Forces have carried out a major military training exercise at the Whitewater Shopping Centre in Newbridge.
The out-of-hours operation occurred on Monday night, explaining a heavy presence of Army and Air Corps personnel and vehicles in the town.
In a statement on Monday afternoon, Whitewater Shopping Centre confirmed the operation and said it was "a controlled and coordinated drill with no impact on trading hours or public access."
The statement continued: "This evening (Monday), Irish Special Operations Forces (IRLSOF), the Army Ranger Wing, in conjunction with the Air Corps are conducting a routine mission readiness exercise in the vicinity of Whitewater Shopping Centre, Newbridge, Co Kildare.
"Mission readiness exercises are key activities undertaken by all units of the Defence Forces and are critical in ensuring our personnel are fully prepared to conduct their assigned missions and tasks."
On the exercise Ms Ingrid Ryan, Whitewater Shopping Centre's Manager, said it was a "great initiative between WWSC and our Irish Special Operation Forces (IRLSOF) and Aer Cór at WWSC, where the training simulation exercise took place. All the more relevant considering the sad events at a nearby Shopping Centre last week.
"We’re proud to support this important national training initiative."
The Defence Forces Press Office said no images or videos of the operation are available for publication.