WesWorld

August 4
The Irish government and army began investigative hearings today regarding an incident from the Afghanistan Campaign, addressing allegations that Irish troops massacred forty Persian and Afghan prisoners of war on October 16th, 1940. [1] The soldiers named in the investigation have not been named publicly.

August 12
The four Contae class destroyers (ex-British S-class) were officially decommissioned a month ahead of schedule today.

August 14
After hearing written and verbal evidence regarding the alleged October 16th, 1940 incident in Afghanistan, the committee ruled that the soldiers involved behaved within the rules of war. The committee's brief to the press stated "During combat operations, a platoon of Irish troops was charged with escorting a large body of Persian and rebel Afghani prisoners to the rear when these prisoners, aided by an irregular band of the enemy, attempted to turn on and overwhelm them with hidden weapons, killing three and injuring a number of others. In fear of their lives, the soldiers responded with appropriate force. While this was a regrettable incident, this body does not believe that any criminal actions were committed, and does not advise any disciplinary action."

August 30
In a ceremony held today in Dublin, Major General Eoin MacDonald was decorated with the new League of Nations Afghanistan Campaign Ribbon. The Campaign Ribbon will be given to all Irish soldiers who served in the League field force during the last year. Token awards will be presented to the leaders of the Yugoslavian and Czech army contingents which participated alongside the Irish forces, extended in representation to all the troops under their command.



Notes:
Note [1]: See here for the details.

September 8
The government began discussions today regarding funding for soldiers seriously injured during the Afghanistan LoN deployment. According to Army records, three hundred and sixteen soldiers have reported "serious continuing or long term health issues" related to injuries sustained in Afghanistan.

September 19
Robert Chase & Sons Equipment, a new business intending to produce electrical welding equipment, announced their intent to acquire space at the new Tyrrelstown Industrial Park outside Dublin.

October 3
The cruiser Granuaile put to sea for the first time since January today, ending a period of reduced operations as a result of financial issues. The Granuaile was accompanied by the four Province class destroyers. The small squadron is intending to visit Galway, Dublin, and Waterford.

October 14
Storms buffeted the western coast of Ireland today, driving a number of small craft ashore and causing minor damage in the region of Westport. Heavy rains also were reported.

October 29
Irish astronomer Kenneth Edgeworth has accepted an offer to work at the Chajnantor Observatory in Chile.

November 4
The Dail concluded a series of discussions and debates regarding benefits for injured veterans resulting from the LONAFF deployment.

November 7
The duo of Noel Purcell and Edith O'Shanahan, which recently opened as a live performance preceding movies at the Capitol Theatre in Dublin, has gained critical acclaim over the last several weeks.

November 18
The Irish government officially acquired the assets of the defunct Irish branch of Vickers (Vickers Ireland Ltd.), which was shut down in 1937. A number of the facilities were operated by the government during the course of the LONAFF deployment, manufacturing stamped field kit items for troops, as well as assembling Breire light machine guns. The government has shown an interest in reopening the defunct branch of Vickers, which includes a civilian shipbuilding and repair dock as well as a number of other associated manufactories.

The purchase of the former Vickers Ireland Ltd assets was criticized by a number of observers, who noted that the government has not yet published a plan for reopening the facilities under new ownership.

December 2
The defunct Vickers Ireland facilities acquired by the government in November were formally reorganized as the Grúpa Thionscal Éireann ("Irish Industry Group", or GTÉ). The government also released a white paper outlining the plans for organizing and operating the new company. The facilities will be divided amongst three distinct subunits, each of which will establish a particular specialty. The government plans to maintain public ownership of GTÉ, but plans to establish "strategic relationships" with interested international partners with greater experience in the various fields.

As part of the plan, GTÉ will take over ownership of the autonomous Cuideachta Longthógáil Gaeilge or Irish Shipbuilding Company, which was formed in 1936 to operate the government-owned Rushbrooke Dockyard. CLG later took over the operation of Haulbowline Naval Yard. Upon it's acquisition by GTÉ, the Irish Shipbuilding Company will additionally take over the former Vickers Ireland shipyards on the Liffey. CLG will continue to maintain its organizational independence following its merger into GTÉ, building ships for both the military and civilian markets. Irish Shipbuilding Company will form a major part of the company's operations, with 560 people currently employed, over three-quarters of GTÉ's expected startup employment.

GTÉ will take over the assembly of the Breire [1] light machine gun, using parts and equipment supplied by Brno, as well as helmets based on the Vickers-manufactured but German-derived Stahlhelm [2]. The company also seems poised to take over the production of the "Armoured Carrier Wheeled Irish Pattern", an infantry carrier based off a Canadian truck chassis. The Irish Army has reportedly requested a further development of this vehicle, which was used in the LONAFF deployment.

Despite the military nature of much of the current production, the government anticipates that GTÉ's main business market and future growth will primarily civilian-oriented, ranging from shovels to automobile components to simple electrical components.



Note [1]: OTL Bren Gun.
Note [2]: The Irish Army historically used the Vickers Stahlhelm until 1940, when they were provided with British helmets and gear (although some British gear was in service prior to that period). Without WWII running, the Irish will continue to use the Stahlhelm.