Dundalk based battalion take lead on UN mission

The Dundalk based 27th Battalion are taking the lead on the upcoming UN peacekeeping mission to Lebanon, Defence Minister Paul Kehoe said as he reviewed troops at Aiken Barracks last week.

The Minister paid tribute to the members of the 112th Infantry Battalion who will leave in the coming weeks for service with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

The members of the 112th Infantry Battalion were reviewed in Aiken Barracks, watched by family and friends, as they prepared to embark on the six month tour of the south Lebanon region.

In his address to the troops, the Minister said: ‘ This year marks significant anniversaries in relation to Ireland’s UN peacekeeping role – it will be the 60th anniversary of Ireland’s first participation in a UN peacekeeping mission and it is the 40th anniversary of our first deployment to Lebanon as part of the UNIFIL mission.’

He said that Ireland has participated in the UNIFIL mission since its establishment in 1978 and today, UNIFIL is recognized as a force for the stability of the entire region.

‘ The Irish Defence Forces have continually risen to the challenge and repeatedly provide professional peacekeepers that have the experience and capability to undertake ever more complex and robust operations.’

He added that soldiers from 29 counties around Ireland were represented among the 344 strong battalion deploying to UNIFIL.

But the mission will be lead by the 27th Battalion, with over 80 troops from the Dundalk barracks.

In all over 640 members of the Permanent Defence Force are currently serving on overseas missions. They are deployed in UN, EU and NATO led missions in Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

‘Finally, I want to wish each and every member of the 112th Infantry Battalion, under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel John Kilmartin a safe and successful mission. You are travelling to Lebanon with my best wishes and those of the rest of the nation.’