Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Alamy Stock Photo

Defence Forces launches campaign to recruit Russian linguists to carry out intelligence work

The role is similar to that used by foreign intelligence services such as MI5 and MI6 in the UK.

THE IRISH MILITARY has launched a campaign to recruit Russian language and cultural analysts who will work with intelligence officers, The Journal has learned.

It is understood not to be the first time that civilian recruitment campaigns have taken place for skilled language analysts – other specialists have been hired to work with arabic and Chinese languages.

Sources have said that An Garda Síochána intelligence services have also brought in specialists from Eastern Europe and Asia to work with them in their enquiries. 

The job spec describes the role as: “In a complex and globalised world, the Department of Defence is seeking a civilian interpreter to provide linguistic support in the context of the international role of the Defence Forces. The successful candidate will work as part of a highly motivated and results-driven team that produce regular and high quality reports to senior management.”

The role, which has a starting salary of €68,000, will see the successful candidate interpreting written and spoken Russian into English “ensuring meaning and context are maintained”. The job is based at Dublin’s McKee Barracks.

The specifications also said that the specialists will “assist analysing information and presenting analysis to a wide range of audiences”.

There is also a need to develop glossaries of Russian terms relevant to the work of the unit while analysing and preparing graphics of their findings while studying open source and other intelligence gathering methods.

The Russian specialist will also conduct regular verbal briefings with senior managers and effectively communicate findings and conclusions.

The candidate booklet also states that there will be an extensive security vetting process.

It is understood from security sources that there are opportunities to progress and become foreign language intelligence analysts supporting the investigatory and operational work of military intelligence.

Sources have said the job will feed into data gathered by J2, the Irish military intelligence agency.  

Identical roles exist in the British security services with MI5 stating that such linguists “support investigations” across MI5 and MI6. 

Their job description on the MI5 website states: “Our Russian Language Intelligence Analysts work in support of our investigations. 

“Using their language skills they provide intelligence insights working at the core of our operational teams.”

MI5 also states that such linguists seek “out vital clues in foreign language material and making it accessible and understandable to others”.

The growth in specialist skills was identified in the Commission on the Defence Forces report last year. 

The study found that the national intelligence element of Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána would need to be modernised immediately – and called for the recruitment of civilian analysts.  

On Page 40 of the document it said: “The Commission expects that the role of intelligence in underpinning the security of the State will grow in the near term. 

“It is therefore important that any necessary changes are made to the national intelligence architecture and legislation as soon as possible.” 

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
45 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Thomas Sheridan
    Favourite Thomas Sheridan
    Report
    May 12th 2023, 6:11 PM

    They’ve come to the right publications- there’s definitely a few regular commentators here that should be fluent russian speakers

    358
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Candidate
    Favourite Candidate
    Report
    May 12th 2023, 6:11 PM

    “186 Orwell Road, Rathgar, Dublin 14, for further information”

    125
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ordinary Bloke
    Favourite Ordinary Bloke
    Report
    May 12th 2023, 6:32 PM

    I thought we were a neutral country? Russian, Chinese, and Arabic yeah. I can see where imminent threat is here. Our defense forces reporting for duty, and ready to do the devils bidding.

    142
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute sean o'dhubhghaill
    Favourite sean o'dhubhghaill
    Report
    May 12th 2023, 6:36 PM

    @Ordinary Bloke: Militarily neutral, yes. Non-aligned, no. You cannot be on the fence when faced with evil.

    187
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute alan
    Favourite alan
    Report
    May 12th 2023, 6:39 PM

    @Ordinary Bloke: what has learning Russian got to do with neutrality?

    120
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Y U no spell good?
    Favourite Y U no spell good?
    Report
    May 12th 2023, 7:19 PM

    @Ordinary Bloke: Defence hires people from within the EU so this process probably means there are enough speakers of European languages. It makes sense that they would need to specifically hire in expertise in languages not covered by the normal recruitment channels

    39
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kris Bopp
    Favourite Kris Bopp
    Report
    May 12th 2023, 6:35 PM

    I have been learning Russian since the beginning of the pandemic. Years ago in school we read Dr. Zhivago in English class and I always remember reading the foreword written by the language professor who translated it from the Russian original. She began by apologising that her russian (although fluent) was still not good enough to do justice to Pasternak’s wonderful prose. One of the best books I’ve ever read, and to be honest it’s a beautiful language. Like reading hieroglyphs or some alien language.
    I read it and understand it pretty well but speaking it is another story altogether.

    91
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute honey badger
    Favourite honey badger
    Report
    May 12th 2023, 6:09 PM

    Pro Russia tears inbound.
    Take it away lads!

    95
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute alan
    Favourite alan
    Report
    May 12th 2023, 6:26 PM

    They have ruined the Ukraine threads with their deliberate flooding them with posts. Which the journal leaves. Presumably for the sake of views. So, any other form of work for them would be great.

    67
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute bernard berry
    Favourite bernard berry
    Report
    May 12th 2023, 7:30 PM

    @alan: You mean they have ruined your echo chamber.

    64
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Furey
    Favourite Paul Furey
    Report
    May 12th 2023, 7:35 PM

    @bernard berry: no that’s not what he means.

    49
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Robert Stack
    Favourite Robert Stack
    Report
    May 12th 2023, 6:37 PM

    Russian Spies apply here……

    54
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Furey
    Favourite Paul Furey
    Report
    May 12th 2023, 6:42 PM

    @Robert Stack: Russian spies post here.

    60
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eric VD
    Favourite Eric VD
    Report
    May 13th 2023, 11:48 AM

    @Robert Stack: Hi guys

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute RT TR
    Favourite RT TR
    Report
    May 12th 2023, 7:44 PM

    Love how recruiting a few Russian linguists makes the DF equivalent to MI5 & MI6!!!!

    50
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute cormac dodd
    Favourite cormac dodd
    Report
    May 14th 2023, 3:41 PM

    @RT TR: Is mise O’Bondogáin, Séamus O’ Bondogáin

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Moses
    Favourite Moses
    Report
    May 12th 2023, 6:36 PM

    The government should hire someone to carry out intelligence work, because it ain’t happening at the minute.

    47
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ross
    Favourite Ross
    Report
    May 12th 2023, 8:41 PM

    The biggest threat to peace on this island is this aligning ourselves against China and Russia in support of the Wests need to be economically superior. I will gladly be slightly less well off if it means avoiding a war and for that reason you’re only codding yourselves by trying to sway the public to be “on side” with the economic goals of the west

    46
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Larry Betts
    Favourite Larry Betts
    Report
    May 12th 2023, 6:40 PM

    I’ve had a few compliments for my capacity of being such a good cunning linguist.

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Papa Benzo
    Favourite Papa Benzo
    Report
    May 13th 2023, 7:42 AM

    @Larry Betts: now now Larry

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nestor
    Favourite Nestor
    Report
    May 12th 2023, 6:40 PM

    “The Russian specialist will also conduct regular verbal briefings with senior managers and effectively communicate findings and conclusions.”

    This sounds a bit silly.

    “Well, Mr. or Ms. specialist, is a Russian invasion of Ireland imminent?

    Not this week, Sir.

    Thank you, specialist, what would we do without you!”

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kris Bopp
    Favourite Kris Bopp
    Report
    May 12th 2023, 6:27 PM

    фейковые новости

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Furey
    Favourite Paul Furey
    Report
    May 12th 2023, 6:41 PM

    @Kris Bopp: that’s easy for you to say

    97
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Geoff Bateman
    Favourite Geoff Bateman
    Report
    May 12th 2023, 7:21 PM

    I smell double agents

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute William slevin
    Favourite William slevin
    Report
    May 12th 2023, 9:53 PM

    @Fiona Fitzgerald: we trade with the US…how many countries have they invaded in the last 60 years…how many countries and regions have the US destabilised and destroyed for the war economy….its hypocritical to treat Russia as we do when we suckle at the US teats…and the western nations of the UK and France who have done nearly as much as the US….

    But Russia we single out and scape goat….its rediculouse.

    41
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute William slevin
    Favourite William slevin
    Report
    May 12th 2023, 9:02 PM

    @establishment loyalist Alan b:

    Your just desperate because your establishment loyalist echo chamber is dead…after what yous did through the pandemic on here…we don’t need no other reason to end your echo chamber ….

    Your baseless claiming us as russains is your Swan song…enjoy it…because I am…

    ; )

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute William slevin
    Favourite William slevin
    Report
    May 12th 2023, 9:04 PM

    @establishment loyalist Paul furher:

    Your like a headless chicken running around the comments section trying to preserve your lil echo chamber give it up…its dead….

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute alan
    Favourite alan
    Report
    May 12th 2023, 11:20 PM

    @William slevin: says the man who himself echoes another post directly.

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Robert Halvey
    Favourite Robert Halvey
    Report
    May 13th 2023, 9:47 AM

    Just once in my life is unreasonable to expect ffg to be ahead of the game . Because all I have ever see them do is closing the gate after the fact

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Martin Ryan
    Favourite Martin Ryan
    Report
    May 12th 2023, 9:28 PM

    83 k Ukrainian peep’s have a smidgen of Russian .
    Now how about a bit of peg Sayers
    In the Russian language .
    Or Michael Ds poetry .
    Or 8am Mass from knock lol

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Papa Benzo
    Favourite Papa Benzo
    Report
    May 13th 2023, 7:43 AM

    Sounds like a cool job

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John O Mahony
    Favourite John O Mahony
    Report
    May 13th 2023, 4:37 AM

    Need a lot more than that

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Martin Cregan
    Favourite Martin Cregan
    Report
    May 13th 2023, 2:53 PM

    @Larry Betts
    Are you speaking in tongues?

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Serg Serg
    Favourite Serg Serg
    Report
    May 14th 2023, 4:51 PM

    In general, this is a difficult question. The main thing is to understand what the Russian army and defense complex is like. To do this, you need to serve in it.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Keth Tgi
    Favourite Keth Tgi
    Report
    May 13th 2023, 6:25 PM

    Cultural analysts….. How does that doll in a doll in a doll etc etc, work?

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute patrick kelly
    Favourite patrick kelly
    Report
    May 13th 2023, 10:00 AM

    Not sure this is the most recent developments in this according to the minister

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds