The armour will be worn in three different levels in line with a graduated response, from soft cap deployment to full public order Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Craig McKeever of Dromard Road, Drimnagh, Dublin, appeared before Judge Susan Fay at Dublin District Court on Thursday and was denied bail.

The new body armour will provide ‘state-of-the-art protection’ to troops during their missions, the Tánaiste said.