Local troops due to return home from Lebanon next month

A battalion of Irish peacekeeping soldiers, whose tour of duty in Lebanon has coincided with one of the most volatile periods in the country's recent history, is due to return home next month.

The risks facing troops in the region were further underlined last weekend when a French peacekeeper was killed, and three others wounded, after a UN patrol came under fire in what's been described as a deliberate attack in southern Lebanon.

Some 360 soldiers from Ireland's 127th Infantry Battalion, many of whom are attached to Athlone's Custume Barracks, have been serving in southern Lebanon since November.

They are scheduled to return home between the middle and end of May, and will be succeeded by the 128th Infantry Battalion, the lead unit for which will be the Limerick-based 12th Infantry Battalion.

The Defence Forces on Saturday said the Irish troops in Lebanon were all "well and accounted for" as it condemned the attck which claimed the life of France's Staff Sergeant Florian Montorio earlier that day.

"The Defence Forces wishes to extend its sympathies to the family and friends of the French peacekeeper who lost his life today and our thoughts are with his colleagues who are recovering at this time," said the statement.

" We strongly condemn any attack on UNIFIL personnel and remind all parties to the conflict of their obligations under international law.

"The situation in South Lebanon remains highly volatile, however all Irish personnel are well and accounted for.

"Personnel of the 127th Infantry Battalion continue to employ force protection measures enabling them to continue to observe and monitor the ongoing conflict in line with (UN security council resolution) 1701.

"Óglaigh na hÉireann remains resolute in its commitment to UNIFIL," it added.

French President Emmanuel Macron said Hezbollah appeared to be responsible for the attack which claimed the life of Sergeant Montorio. In response, Hezbollah denied "any connection" to the incident.

Meanwhile, on Friday last, April 17, Taoiseach Micheál Martin was in Mullingar for a Fianna Fáil centenary year dinner at which he was asked by the Westmeath Examiner about the conditions faciling Irish peacekeepers in Lebanon.

In response, Mr Martin referred to the 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon which came into effect the previous day.

He accepted that there had been a lot of activity in the area, but remarked that "the ceasefire gives significant prospects in terms of fresh food supplies and general movement in and out of" the Irish base at Camp Shamrock.

The Taoiseach acknowledged it had been a "difficult" period for the Irish soldiers, but added: "They have trained for this, they are professionals... I understand the concern of the families, given all the activity that has been ongoing, but the ceasefire will certainly give respite."

Mr Martin said he anticipated that the Irish troops due home next month would be able to make the journey but added that this was "conditional on the circumstances at the time".

He said the Irish peacekeepers were "extremely professional and committed" and that they "define Ireland's contribution to global peace and global affairs".

The 127th Infrantry Battalion is being led by Ballymahon native Lieutenant Colonel Mark Lennon.