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IRISH DEFENCE FORCES members have been honoured for their peacekeeping roles in south Lebanon at a special medal ceremony.
In all, 147 members of the 113th infantry battalion were recognised for their service with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil).
To reflect the sizeable Galwegian contingent among the personnel stationed there, one of the main areas in the Unifil camp was renamed Connemara Square following the medal parade.
The Unifil mission was set up in 1978, following the invasion of Lebanon by Israel. Since 2000, following the Israeli withdrawal, Unifil has continued to operate in the region.
Irish personnel stationed there, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Caimin Keogh, patrol, monitor and report on developments in the area.
They also correct violations of the so-called Blue Line – the border demarcation with Israel – and prevent the escalation of incidents.
There are 458 Irish personnel attached to Unifil, and a decision was made to increase its contribution by 106 troops last November.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister with responsibility for defence Paul Kehoe said there was an affinity between the Irish Defence Forces stationed there and the local community.
“As Minister, I want to dedicate a huge word of gratitude to the local community, whose representatives are here,” Kehoe said. “Your support for the Irish Defence Forces over the last 40 years cannot be understated. You not only allowed us in, but you welcomed us with open arms.”
The minister added that he was aware of the sacrifices the troops made, given they were unable to celebrate St Patrick’s Day at home with their families.
“I am very mindful of the great sacrifices you make here in Lebanon,” he said. “I understand how much you all miss your homes, your families and your loved ones. I know the dangers you face and the hardships you endure as part of your mission.”
He added that the government is proud of them.
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Fantastic people, let’s also recognise that Defense Forces pay is paltry
Well done to all ☘️
The majority like myself was there for the
money and not tupenny medal
Fantastic people, let’s also recognise that the Defence Forces pay is paltry.
@Charles Coughlan: compared to the man sticking the pin on their chest, he is on great wages and pension and I can’t think of a single thing he has achieved in his political career.
Won’t be long til you are home lads. Hang on in there. Very proud of you all.
They cannot live on medals , sad to say some have to go to the welfare office for support to feed their family’s .
We can all be rightly proud of our Óglaigh na hÉireann, the only organisation who has the right to use the name
@Stephen Kearon: thanks for that extra input Stephen, go Fianna Fáil! Are they the only ones with rightful use of “the republican party”?
For the record I don’t vote Fine Gael or Sinn Fein nor the above.
Getting recognised for doing feck all according to Colin Fennelly!
@Flaming Mo: Colin fennelly did feck all
All a joke pay them and reduce he force to 2000 and let them back up the cops at the same pay rate.
@Owen Lynch: the role of a military is not to back up the police in anything but a totalitarian state. By all means increase the number of police, but recognise that defence is not justice, both of which a democratic state is supposed to be capable of providing
@Owen Lynch: and the award for least constructive suggestion about the future of the defence forces, for 2019 goes to ….
Very proud of my hubby, he’s home this Saturday for our sons communion 2 weeks of bless them back at it
Well done to all. They’re doing a great job as they’ve always done overseas for small pay. My father was a UN peacekeeper with the 34th Battalion in the Congo in 61.
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