Defence Forces release statement after officer is pictured on his phone during 1916 commemorations

During today's commemorative ceremony, a soldier was filmed talking on his phone as President Michael D Higgins was laying a wreath outside the GPO.

This brief moment was broadcast on RTÉ television. A military spokesperson, made a statement stating that the officer was not acting inappropriately. He explained that he was simply following his duties in the press area of the commemorations. He said: “The officer in the picture is a member of the Press Office of the Defence Forces and was taking a call from the journalist at the time as part of his duties. “He was in the Media position in front of the GPO and was tasked with providing the media with information about our participation in the events. "He was not acting inappropriately."