The Pat Kenny Show Could mandatory military service be a possibility for Ireland?
Dec 1, 2025
Patrick Bury, a senior security lecturer and former NATO analyst, joins Colin Sheridan, a former Irish Army officer and columnist, to discuss the possibility of mandatory military service in Ireland. They explore how Russian aggression is prompting European nations to reconsider conscription. Bury highlights the contrast between high-tech warfare and the realities on the ground, while Sheridan emphasizes Ireland's recruitment issues. The conversation raises intriguing questions about generational attitudes towards military service and political motivations behind rearmament.
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Conscription Is Returning Across Europe
- European countries are reintroducing conscription or national service in response to Russian aggression since 2014 and the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
- Sweden, Germany, Denmark, Norway and several Baltic states have restored or maintained some form of service to enable rapid scaling of manpower if needed.
Manpower Needs Drive The Debate
- High-intensity land wars like Ukraine are extremely manpower intensive and strain volunteer militaries built for expeditionary missions.
- Patrick Bury argues selective conscription or broad national service helps rapidly expand trained personnel for homeland defence.
Build Capacity Through Selective Service
- Gather data before expanding compulsory systems by screening 18-year-olds with questionnaires and medical checks to estimate available recruits.
- Use selective service so many do civic duties rather than full military service to maintain public support and flexibility.