Final Irish peacekeeping mission to Lebanon 'poignant'
The officer commanding Ireland's final peacekeeping contingent in southern Lebanon has said that next month's mission is 'very poignant and very difficult' for members of the Defence Forces.
Lieutenant Colonel Cormac Brady, commanding the final Irish peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon, describes the deployment as both significant and challenging. The mission, ending in December, sees over 30,000 Irish troops participate since 1978, with 48 soldiers losing their lives. The UN mandate will conclude on December 31, with the Irish force withdrawing entirely by Easter.
The officer highlights the personal connection to the late Private Seán Rooney and the 47 other fallen Irish soldiers. The current situation in Lebanon is calm, though the area remains volatile due to potential hostilities from Hezbollah and Israel. Lt Col Brady emphasizes force protection as the primary focus, noting the troops' positive morale.
The Easter withdrawal target is ambitious but achievable, with planning already underway. The Defence Forces maintain that overseas missions continue to be valuable for personnel development. Ireland's Triple Lock system requires cabinet, Dáil, and UN Security Council approval for deployments abroad; legislation to remove the UN requirement is currently under debate in the Oireachtas.
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