A Woman in Defence: My Story of the Enemy Within the Irish Army

'A searing, honest and courageous account of professional soldiering in a toxic military culture' Senator Tom Clonan, retired army captain

During her 31-year career as a soldier in the Irish Defence Forces, Karina Molloy achieved many firsts.

First female to get promoted to Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) rank. First to attempt the Army Ranger Wing selection course - Ireland's SAS equivalent - when it was considered impossible for women. And, to date, Karina has the most overseas service as a female senior NCO.

But despite a pioneering career, she faced many setbacks in an institution rife with misogyny - from sexual assault to routine bullying to promotional glass ceilings. And yet she persevered.

From Lebanon to Eritrea to Bosnia, A Woman in Defence is the often shocking story of a determined soldier who forged her way in a man's world, and who continues to fight to make the army a safer and more equitable place for women. What emerges is a damning expose of a venerable Irish institution which has failed to defend and protect its own.

Karina Molloy grew up in Donegal and fulfilled her dream to enter the Irish Defence Forces as a young woman, in 1981.

She retired after a thirty-one-year career, where she claimed many first achievements for a female recruit, including Senior Non-Commissioned Officer rank.

She is part of the Women of Honour group which set up in the wake of the military #metoo movement, detailing allegations of sexual abuse, harassment and discrimination in the Irish military, and advocating for change and accountability.

A Woman in Defence is her first book.