Almost 7,000 troops have been booted out of the Armed Forces for taking drugs over the last eight years
ALMOST 7,000 troops have been booted out of the Armed Forces for taking drugs over the last eight years, figures show.
The Army alone is sacking about 500 soldiers — the size of a battalion — every year.
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Infantry regiment The Rifles has one of the worst records, with at least 151 failing compulsory drugs tests between 2017 and 2025.
Ministry of Defence figures showed cocaine was by far the most popular drug used, followed by cannabis and ecstasy.
Former commander
"But there is no place for drug abuse in the Armed Forces.'
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The MoD said tests ensured 'maximum deterrence.'
An MoD spokesperson: 'Substance abuse is unacceptable in the Armed Forces and we have run the Armed Forces Compulsory Drug Testing (AFCDT) Programme since January 1995.
'We robustly enforce a zero tolerance policy to drug use by all those who serve and provide an education programme to inform all personnel of the dangers and consequences of substance misuse.
'We maintain a comprehensive programme of compulsory random drug testing to ensure maximum deterrence.
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"Anyone found to have misused drugs faces severe consequences, including discharge from service.'
British soldier appears to snort suspicious white substance in video published to social media
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Almost 7,000 troops have been booted out of the Armed Forces for taking drugs over the last eight years, figures show
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Irish Independent
2 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Ballymena riots: Fire started and windows smashed at Larne Leisure Centre
Social media posts have suggested that those moved out of Ballymena homes were being housed there earlier today. It is understood there is currently nobody inside the Leisure Centre. It comes as protestors have gathered in towns across Northern Ireland with some being peaceful, while others have turned violent. The initial rioting ignited in Ballymena with the PSNI saying it is 'not clear' if paramilitaries are coordinating violence in the Co Antrim town. Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson, speaking during a press conference today, said: "At this point it's not clear to us or through intelligence or what we're hearing if there's paramilitary coordination to it." Meanwhile, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn is planning to visit Ballymena, it has been announced. The UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has also condemned 'mindless attacks' during the outbreak of violence in Ballymena and other parts of Northern Ireland. Seven people have been arrested and 33 PSNI officers were injured over two nights of what the PSNI Chief Constable has described as 'mindless violence'. Follow our live blog for the latest updates: 13 minutes ago Heavy police presence in Ballymena amid third night of protesting 16 minutes ago 'Larne does not need this', says East Antrim MLA Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly has condemned the attack of a leisure centre in his constituency. "Larne leisure centre has been attacked by masked thugs," the East Antrim MLA said. "Windows smashed and fires lit nearby. Larne does not need this." 20 minutes ago Communities Minister condemns attack on Larne Leisure Centre Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has condemned the attack of a leisure centre in Larne. The East Antrim MLA said: 'The violence and disorder witnessed on our streets over recent nights serves no purpose. Wanton destruction such as the attack on Larne Leisure Centre is an attack on all residents who use the facility. There is absolutely no excuse for what has taken place in Larne, and it must be condemned.' 24 minutes ago Police Land Rovers arrive at Larne Leisure Centre Five police Land Rovers have arrived at the scene of the ongoing incident in Larne. Fire crews have been tasked to tackle the blaze that is understood to be currently contained to foyer of the leisure centre. 52 minutes ago Damage caused to a leisure centre in Larne amid protests Social media posts have suggested that those moved out of Ballymena homes were being housed there earlier today. 59 minutes ago Police are at the scene as a small crowd has gathered in Ballymena Kevin Scott on Twitter / X A ring of police around the Harryville Bridge and Clonavon areas of crowds around but all spectators; all peaceful. @BelTel Kevin Scott (@Kscott_94) June 11, 2025 Today 02:03 PM A vandalised house in Ballymena is now displaying a 'British Household' sign in the window Today 01:39 PM MLA urges for political leadership amid reports of anti-immigration protest in Portadown Sinn Fein MLA John O'Dowd has called for all political representatives to show leadership and urge a boycott of an anti-immigration protest planned in Portadown this evening. A Sinn Fein spokesman said there are reports of a demonstration being organised with one flyer suggesting the protest will target several homes and a hostel in the area. 'Reports of a racist protest being organised in Portadown by faceless elements are deeply disturbing and disgraceful,' the Upper Bann MLA said. "I am calling on all politicians, particularly those with influence in the greater Portadown area, to distance themselves from this protest and to publicly encourage a boycott. 'Anything less would be a total abdication of leadership at a time when it is needed most. 'We have already seen the misery that racist thugs have inflicted on the people of Ballymena and elsewhere — those scenes must not be repeated in Portadown.' Today 01:08 PM Officers in north Belfast are investigating a number of reports of criminal damage and arson from yesterday evening Chief Inspector Mullan said: 'A number of homes and vehicles throughout the north of the city – in Buttermilk Loney, Silverstream Road, Woodvale Avenue and Oakley Street - were damaged with windows smashed. Also in Oakley Street, three properties sustained damage after a car was set alight. Shortly afterwards, in Silverstream Gardens, two vehicles were deliberately set alight, while a motorbike was destroyed in an arson attack in Florence Court. In Legann Street, another car was set alight and two houses had windows smashed. 'At this time, all incidents are being treated as racially-motivated hate crimes. We absolutely condemn these disgraceful attacks on our minority ethnic friends and neighbours. Those responsible are endangering not only the lives of those inside the properties, but putting themselves at risk of injury. 'Our investigations are ongoing and local officers are working to identify all those involved in this incident. Make no mistake, we are treating these incidents exceptionally seriously. We will pursue those responsible and ensure they face justice through our courts. We will continue to engage closely with partner agencies and local advocacy groups as enquiries continue." Today 12:51 PM Filipino man's plea to rioters after car burned out in Ballymena violence 'We are not here to destroy your community': Filipino man's plea to rioters after car burned out in Ballymena violence A Filipino man who had his car burned out and home attacked during violence in Ballymena has pleaded with rioters to stop, telling them 'we are not here to destroy your community'. Today 12:35 PM Comment from Allison Morris on Ballymena violence There's no dressing up Ballymena violence, there is no, 'it is wrong but'… it is just racism In Exodus, God instructed the Israelites to mark their doorways with the blood of a sacrificed lamb so he would "pass over" their houses, sparing their firstborn sons, while striking down the firstborn of the Egyptians. Today 12:07 PM PSNI warn 'is rioting worth your future being put under threat?' ACC Ryan Henderson: "Let me say in the clearest possible terms, the senseless violence is utterly unacceptable, and as I see it serves, only to endanger and destroy our local area, our local communities. "And I want to appeal directly to those involved or considering becoming involved in the disorder to stop and think. Ask yourselves, is the hatred something you want to be associated with? Is this worth being prosecuted for? Is it worth your future being put under threat? Or indeed the future of your children? "Most importantly, please ask yourself, how are [these criminal acts] helping the ongoing criminal investigation in support of a young victim who deserves justice? This violence only serves to undermine the criminal investigation and cause further distress and turmoil to a young victim and her family. " Today 12:03 PM 80 additional officers requested from Great Britain to help ACC Ryan Henderson said: "A significant policing operation, will be in place in Ballymena and beyond over the coming days. We're taking steps to increase available resources and are surging a significant number of extra officers, vehicles, and equipment to those areas with the rioting is taking place. This will have an impact on our communities." Today 11:59 AM PSNI preparing for possibility of more violence tonight ACC Ryan Henderson said: "My nearly 30 years in policing makes me absolutely alert to the fact we could see more tonight and that's why we're preparing and planning for that. "But I don't want the communities of Northern Ireland to feel unsafe, nor do I want them to feel that I am saying that we will definitely see this tonight." Today 11:57 AM Police 'not clear' on whether paramilitary coordination to rioting ACC Ryan Henderson said: "You will see the power of social media connecting different parts of Northern Ireland in terms of the desire to protest, but also the desire to be violent and how that has been done. And we have seen that in a number of sites over the past couple of days. "At this point it's not clear to us or through intelligence or what we're hearing if there's paramilitary coordination to it. But I want to be very clear that if it does come out from our investigations I'll not be slow or shy in attributing blame to those who are involved. " Today 11:53 AM PSNI press conference In a PSNI press conference today Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson praised officers who have dealt with two days of rioting in Ballymena. He said: "32 officers have now been injured over the last two nights of rioting. And I want to say publicly my admiration for the bravery and professionalism of those officers that they showed when dealing with the challenges and the violence they had to face." Today 11:40 AM NI Secretary hoping to visit Ballymena Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn hopes to visit Ballymena in the coming days, according to Lady Anderson. She also said the Cabinet minister was having "active conversations" with both the Stormont administration and the PSNI. Lady Anderson told peers that the region's Chief Constable Jon Boutcher was in the process of submitting a request through the mutual aid scheme to support current police policing operations. Today 11:33 AM Government minister says communities left 'very scared' following violence in NI A Government minister has said her thoughts are with communities in Northern Ireland who have been left "very scared" after two nights of violence in which a number of police officers have been injured. Responding to an urgent question in Parliament, Lords spokesperson for Northern Ireland Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent said: "The recent scenes of civil disorder which we have seen in Ballymena have no place in Northern Ireland. "The attacks on police officers as they work to keep people safe and on property are wholly unacceptable. "I would like to express my sincere thanks to the PSNI, the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and the Northern Ireland ambulance service, who have worked in difficult conditions over the past few days to keep people safe. "My thoughts and prayers are with those officers still receiving treatment, and with the communities across Northern Ireland who woke up this morning very scared." Today 10:41 AM Policing Board members thank PSNI and emergency services for efforts in 'face of vicious attack' Policing Board Members today attended a specially convened briefing to receive an update from the PSNI on the policing response to the violence and disorder in Ballymena and other areas of Northern Ireland. Members were briefed on policing operations and challenges following violence. Policing Board Chair Mukesh Sharma said: "Our thoughts are with the victim of this assault and their family. "Measures now being taken by the police to reassure the victims of the violence, and the wider community affected, were outlined and discussed." He added: "Board Members also heard about the ferocity of the violence directed at police officers and the police command decisions to deploy water cannon and baton rounds were explained. "We thank all the police officers, and emergency service colleagues, for their work in the face of vicious attack, and trust all 32 officers injured will make a full recovery." Ms Sharma said the board condemns acts of "wanton violence against people, police and property". He added: "Such violence and racism has no place in our community. The widespread calls for calm, in tandem with condemnation of the disorder and support for policing from political leaders and others, are welcomed. "Policing needs the continued support through political and community leadership to bring this violence to an end."
Extra.ie
3 hours ago
- Extra.ie
Twix joins list of ads banned from Irish and UK TV
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) caused quite a stir this week for their move to pull a 70s-themed advertisement for chocolate bar, Twix, due to the alleged promotion of 'unsafe driving.' The advertisement was released in March of this year but has since been banned by the ASA following five complaints that the footage 'condoned unsafe driving.' The commercial sees two cars involved in a car chase with the man in the first car putting the foot down in order to get away from the car chasing him. The advertisement was released in March of this year but has since been banned by the ASA following five complaints that the footage 'condoned unsafe driving.' Pic: Twix The man then takes a sharp turn which leads the vehicle to come off the side of the road and overturn a number of times before ending up overturned on top of an identical car, similar to the two bars in a Twix. The ASA acknowledged that there were 'fantastical elements' in the ad but upheld the complaints and ruled the advertisement could not appear in its current form again. Agencies such as the ASA and the ASAI (Avertising Standards Authority of Ireland) work to regulate TV commercials within their countries. View this post on Instagram A post shared by (@extradotie) Following the latest banned advertisement, take a look at five more advertisements that have been pulled across Irish and/or British TV. In 2023, the ASAI banned a piggybank commercial which had been created for Bank of Ireland due to the idea that the ad 'normalised the illegal and environmentally corrupt practice of backyard burning.' The television ad promoted Bank of Ireland's Big Move initiative to help consumers switch banks with ease, following the withdrawal of two banks from the market. The objected scene showed a man and a woman standing over a burning barrel, with the narrator saying: 'Break-ups are always a bit messy.' The woman, holding a money jar in the shape of a hippo then says: 'They gave me this when we first met' – before throwing the jar into the burning barrel. Despite the bank highlighting that no materials were 'actually fully burnt,' the ASAI complaints committee found that apart from limited circumstances, the backyard burning of waste was illegal and subject to prosecution, therefore the ad was banned. Going back to 2017, the commercials watchdog pulled a cinema advertisement for car brand Nissan due to the depiction of bullying and gender sterotypes. The two and a half minute video sees a young boy, who does errands for an elderly neighbour, beaten up by a group of older boys every time he does the errands for the elderly lady. The bullying continues throughout the years, with the youngster becoming more and more withdrawn as a result. Meanwhile, his little sister decides to join a martial arts class and is eventually able to step into defend her brother. No violence is shown throughout the ad, however, the young boy is seen with cuts and bruises on a number of occassions. Following the finale where the sister defends her brother, the siblings transform into cars. The ad was banned when the ASAI ruled that the message was 'that violence could be used to revolve issues and that it was an appropriate response to bullying.' Pic: Youtube Period product Tampax' Tampax and Tea advertisement was banned in Ireland in 2020 with the ASAI committee ruling that it 'should not run in the same format again,' due to being offensive. With almost 100 complaints made to the watchdog, complainants found the advertisement offensive, crude and vulgar. The advertisement came in the from of a fake talk show with the host asking her guest and audience members if they can feel their tampon before telling them that they shouldn't and explaining it might not be inserted properly. 'Ya gotta get it up there girls!' the host then exclaims. Despite the ASAI noting that the ad had provided 'factual information in a manner that was neither explicit nor graphic,' it was banned from Irish TV. Beer brand Heineken have had Formula 1 star Max Verstappen on board as an ambassador in recent months, with the promotion of their 0.0 beer and campaign: 'The best driver is the one who is not drinking.' While many will be familiar with the TV advertisement, the Dutch company were left with no choice but to remove the advertisement on social media due to failure in meeting advertising standards. The paid social media advert saw the Verstappen holding a bottle of the non-alcoholic alternative and the slogan: 'The best driver is the one who is not drinking.' Unfortunately, the standard alcohol Heineken logo was on the bottom of the photograph, instead of the alcohol free logo with the UK watchdog ruling that there wasn't 'sufficiently prominent statement of the product's abv.' They said: 'The only reference in the ad to abv was the label on the bottle of Heineken 0.0 beer held by Max Verstappen. However, the bottle was relatively small, especially comparing the text on the label to the image of Max Verstappen, who was the focus of the ad. 'We therefore did not consider that was a sufficiently prominent statement of the product's abv.' Ahead of the Six Nations in 2012, the BBC pulled their promotional trailer due to fears of it would be perceived as being anti-English. The minute-long ad sees a number of groups from Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Italy of people beaming as they shout, 'England' in what one might think was the groups cheering the team on. A caption then reads: 'The Six Nations. It's not about who you want to win… It's about who you want to lose.' The video then cuts to a group of English supporters who are divided in who they want to see losing the tournament.
Irish Examiner
5 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
PSNI request support from UK colleagues to deal with Ballymena violence
Police in Northern Ireland have requested support from colleagues in the rest of the UK following violence in Ballymena, a senior officer has said. PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the force would be bringing extra officers, vehicles and equipment to areas where unrest has flared. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said he 'utterly condemns' violence which left 17 police officers injured following a second night of disturbances in the Co Antrim town. PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has warned that the rioting 'risks undermining' the criminal justice process into an allegation of a sex attack on a teenage girl in Ballymena at the weekend. Stormont ministers have also made an urgent appeal for calm and said the justice process had to be allowed to take its course. Providing an update on the policing operation on Wednesday, Mr Henderson said: 'We are taking steps to increase available resources and are surging a significant number of extra officers, vehicles and equipment to those areas where the rioting is taking place. 'This will have an impact on our community, this will take away vital resources needed to police other areas. Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly speak to media at the Ulster Hall in Belfast on Wednesday (David Young/PA) 'It will have an impact on our ability to serve communities. 'As part of my forward planning I have now activated the request for mutual aid resources from policing colleagues in Great Britain to ensure we have the necessary support and maintain public order and bring offenders to justice in the days to come.' Speaking during Prime Minister's Questions in the Commons, Mr Starmer condemned the 'mindless attacks' against police. 'I utterly condemn the violence that we have seen overnight in Ballymena and in other parts of Northern Ireland, including against PSNI officers,' Mr Starmer told MPs. A second night of violence took place in Ballymena (Niall Carson/PA) 'It's absolutely vital that the PSNI are given the time they need to investigate the incidents concerned rather than face mindless attacks as they seek to bring peace and order to keep people safe.' In a joint statement, ministers from across the Stormont powersharing Executive, which includes Sinn Féin, DUP, Alliance Party and UUP, said those involved in disorder have nothing to offer society but 'division and disorder'. First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly later appeared together to voice their condemnation. Sinn Féin vice president Ms O'Neill told reporters in Belfast: 'It's pure racism, there is no other way to dress it up.' Rioters attacked police in Ballymena on Tuesday night (Niall Carson/PA) She said ministers stood full-square with the young girl who was subject to the alleged sex attack but she said the criminal justice system must be allowed to deal with that case. 'Separate to that is the racism that we're seeing … people being firebombed out of their homes, people having their doors knocked in, having their windows being smashed, families being intimidated,' Ms O'Neill added. 'That is absolutely unacceptable and everything that needs to be done to bring it to an end is our focus in terms of the engagement we have with the PSNI.' Ms Little-Pengelly described the scenes in Ballymena as 'unacceptable thuggery', adding: 'We've been in contact with the Chief Constable, and in constant contact with the PSNI throughout last night in terms of what was happening on the ground. 'I think today is about sending a very clear message that violence is wrong, it is entirely unacceptable. It must stop.' With the protests focused in predominantly loyalist areas in Ballymena, Ms O'Neill said she did not believe a visit by her would prove helpful in the current context. DUP MLA Ms Little-Pengelly visited the town on Wednesday. Police said their officers came under sustained attack over a number of hours with multiple petrol bombs, heavy masonry, bricks and fireworks thrown in their direction in the Clonavon Terrace area of Ballymena on Tuesday night. The PSNI deployed riot police, fired plastic baton rounds, and used water cannon as well as dog units as part of its response to the disorder. Police also reported that 'sporadic disorder' had also occurred in Newtownabbey and Carrickfergus, as well as incidents in north Belfast. It came after similar violent disorder around Clonavon Terrace in the town on Monday night, following an earlier peaceful protest which was organised in support of the family of a girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in the area. Two teenage boys, who spoke to a court through a Romanian interpreter, have been charged. A PSNI spokesperson said earlier on Tuesday evening that a number of protests took place in areas of Belfast, Lisburn, Coleraine and Newtownabbey. In Carrickfergus, two bins were set alight and bottles and masonry thrown at police in the Sunnylands area by a group of 20-30 young people at about 8.30pm. In Newtownabbey, bins were set alight at the roundabout on O'Neill Road. During the course of the disorder in Ballymena, officers discharged a number of plastic baton rounds and a water cannon was also deployed in an attempt to disperse the crowds. The spokesperson said: 'Businesses and homes were attacked and damaged, and a number of vehicles were also set on fire in the area. 'Seventeen officers were injured with some requiring hospital treatment. 'Five people were arrested on suspicion of riotous behaviour and remain in police custody this morning. 'A male was also arrested on suspicion of disorderly behaviour on the O'Neill Road in Newtownabbey. 'A number of nearby roads were closed by police to ensure the safety of the public and local residents, and to enable officers to deal with the situation and disorder safely. All roads were subsequently reopened.' Fifteen officers had been injured during similar scenes in Ballymena on Monday. Mr Boutcher said: 'The mindless violence witnessed over the past two nights in Ballymena is deeply concerning and utterly unacceptable. 'These criminal acts not only endanger lives but also risk undermining the ongoing criminal justice process led by the PSNI in support of a victim who deserves truth, justice, and protection. 'Ironically, and frustratingly, this violence threatens to derail the very pursuit of justice it claims to challenge. I will be making arrangements to activate mutual aid resources to ensure we have the necessary support to maintain public order and bring offenders to justice 'Let me be clear: this behaviour must stop. I appeal to everyone involved to cease all further acts of criminality and disorder immediately.' The Chief Constable said the investigation into the violence would include reviewing video footage, and images of individuals would be released to identify offenders. He added: 'Since 2010, the PSNI has been critically underfunded. This neglect takes no account of the enormous demands placed on us by legacy issues or the unique challenges of policing in a post-conflict society. 'Our resourcing levels are not just inadequate — they are dangerous. 'I will be making arrangements to activate mutual aid resources to ensure we have the necessary support to maintain public order and bring offenders to justice.'
