Almost 600 Defence Forces personnel are serving oversees on 13 missions in 13 countries and 1 sea on this, St. Patrick’s Day.
Out of 588 personnel oversees, the Defence Forces largest troop mission has 334 personnel deployed with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), followed by 135 personnel with the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights. We also have personnel serving in Mali, Democratic Republic of Congo and Western Sahara.
Photo: Courtesy (Defence Forces Press Office)
Minister with Responsibility for Defence Paul Kehoe T.D., accompanied by Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations), Major General Kieran Brennan, is spending St. Patrick’s Day with the men and women deployed to UNIFIL. The Minister met with Officer Commanding the 111th Infantry Battalion, Lt Col Neil Nolan, and attended the 111th Infantry Battalion’s Medal Parade, during which he addressed the troops.
When addressing the troops, Minister Kehoe said, “What you do here, day in and day out, culminates in the realisation of our words of commitment to peacekeeping, and also to progress in the region. Your work and your actions fill every Irish person with pride.”
Minister Paul Kehoe T.D. Photo: (Defence Forces Press Office)
The Minister added “While your presence here is a great source of pride to Ireland, it is the difference between life and death for so many people living here. We may be a small nation, but we can stand tall when it comes to helping some of the most beleaguered people on this planet.”
Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations) Major General Kieran Brennan stated, “I’m delighted to be visiting the men and women of the Defence Forces deployed in the service of peace with the Minister this St Patrick’s Day. Receiving their medals today is recognition of their service to date, and it is a significant milestone on their tour of duty.”
