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Irish Daily Mirror
23-05-2025
- General
- Irish Daily Mirror
Hugs and tears as Irish troops reunited with family following Lebanon deployment
There were emotional scenes at Dublin Airport on Friday as 170 Irish troops from the 125th Infantry Battalion were reunited with family members following the end of their peacekeeping mission in Lebanon . The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) troops returned home following a six-month deployment to south Lebanon. They have now been replaced by a new battalion of Irish soldiers. Soldiers were greeted by loud cheers from wives, husbands, children and parents, who were excitedly waving flags, balloons and posters as the troop filtered into the arrivals hall just after 3pm. The peacekeepers were greeted with banners and homemade messages of love and support, with some families waving Irish and United Nations flags. Tears of elation ran down faces as mothers embraced sons, fathers were reunited with their daughters, and some soldiers were introduced to their grandchildren for the first time. Drawn from many different Units across the Army and Air Corps, the majority of the 125th Infantry Battalion's personnel are drawn from the 28th Infantry Battalion based in Finner Camp in Co Donegal. The returning troops have operated in the IRISHPOLBATT Area of Operations (AO), since the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah began. It has been an especially difficult few months as tensions rise in the Middle East. The 125th Infantry Battalion is located in Camp Shamrock, known as United Nations Post 2-45, which is located a short distance from the Israeli border and is close to areas controlled by Hezbollah militants. On multiple occasions UNIFIL, and specifically IRISHPOLBATT were subject to GROUNDHOG (taking shelter in protected positions). However, the Irish troops of the 125th Infantry Battalion in UNIFIL continued to monitor the situation and conduct planned framework operations. Scroll down to see the emotional pictures. Families wait to greet home 170 Irish troops from the 125th Infantry Battalion, United Nations Interim Force Lebanon (UNIFIL) as they return to Dublin Airport following a six-month deployment to South Lebanon (Image: Collins Photo Agency) 1 of 18 Families wait to greet home 170 Irish troops from the 125th Infantry Battalion, United Nations Interim Force Lebanon (UNIFIL) as they return to Dublin Airport following a six-month deployment to South Lebanon (Image: Collins Photo Agency) 2 of 18 Cupcakes awaiting the 170 Irish troops from the 125th Infantry Battalion, United Nations Interim Force Lebanon (UNIFIL) as they return to Dublin Airport following a six-month deployment to South Lebanon (Image: Collins Photo Agency) 3 of 18 Fergal is greeted home by Ellie Doran (3) from Wexford as 170 Irish troops from the 125th Infantry Battalion, United Nations Interim Force Lebanon (UNIFIL) return to Dublin Airport 4 of 18 Fergal is greeted home by Ellie Doran (3) from Wexford (Image: Collins Photo Agency) 5 of 18 Pvt Niall McManus with girlfriend Niamh as 170 Irish troops from the 125th Infantry Battalion, United Nations Interim Force Lebanon (UNIFIL) return to Dublin Airport following a six-month deployment to South Lebanon (Image: Collins Photo Agency) 6 of 18
RTÉ News
23-05-2025
- General
- RTÉ News
Joyous scenes as Irish troops return home from Lebanon
There were emotional scenes at Dublin Airport today as 170 Irish troops from the 125th Infantry Battalion returned home following a six-month deployment with UNIFIL in Lebanon. From earlier this afternoon, families had gathered at Dublin airport. After waiting six months, they had to hold on just a little more to be see with their loved ones, the tour of duty coming to an end. Lisa Ryan was waiting for her husband, Wayne. She was with her daughters, Hannah and Aoife - who was celebrating her 7th birthday. "It's been a long time, but we're extremely proud of him," she said. Just after 3pm, there were joyous scenes as the soldiers stepped into the arrivals hall. Gunner Brian Lane quickly took hold of his daughter. "It was tough enough mentally over there. Once the ceasefire came in, it started to ease off a small bit. We got through it anyway. It's good to be back on home soil as they say," he said. There were similar sentiments from Corporal Glen O'Sullivan. "It's good to be back, thank God. I missed everyone,'" he said. Asked about what his plans now were, his mother, Linda, chimed in: "His mammy is going to look after him for a couple of days. I have Clonakilty sausages ready in the fridge and all for him." From the man in charge, Lieutenant Colonel Shane Rockett, there was an acknowledgement that this tour was a particularly challenging one. "My main priority as a commander is to get everyone back safe and sound and we've done that. So, I'm very relieved in that regards. It was probably be the most kinetic tour of duty I've been on in my career, and I've had nine tours," he said. For Captain Donal Lonergan too, there was relief. He said: "I'm excited to get home now and bring out the bins, cut the grass all that normal stuff that we missed out on for the last six months." His wife, Rachel, said: "It was very worrying. In particular, the start of the trip was severely concerning. This is great to have him back on Irish soil in one piece."
Irish Times
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Irish troops report being observed in Lebanon amid ‘aggressive postures' by Israeli army
The Defence Forces are 'aware of a number of reported incidents of aggressive postures' adopted by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in Lebanon in recent days, but said all Irish personnel are safe and well. Irish soldiers reported being observed while on patrol as part of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) on Tuesday night. This incident occurred near Maroun Ar-Ras and involved members of the 125th Infantry Battalion who were working alongside the Lebanese Armed Forces. 'The Irish personnel noted the presence of a laser light near their position; this frequently indicates that they were being observed using an optical sight which includes a laser light module,' a spokesperson for the Defence Forces said. 'Such laser lights are not generally harmful; however, their use is unwelcome and was reported by patrol. It is understood that this incident was protested by Unifil.' READ MORE No injuries to any UN personnel have been reported and all Irish personnel are 'safe and well', the spokesperson added. 'Our soldiers continue to operate effectively and are committed to their important role to provide stability and act as an independent observer in the region.' The Irish peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, first established in 1978, is to be extended for another year , Tánaiste Simon Harris confirmed on Tuesday. At present Ireland has 340 members of the 125th Infantry Battalion deployed in the country. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Unifil said it is 'concerned by the recent aggressive posture' of the IDF. In one incident on Tuesday, peacekeepers observed two shots being fired from south of the Blue Line – a UN-mapped demarcation separating Lebanon from Israel and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights – with one of them hitting the Unifil base near the village of Kfar Shouba. Unifil said this incident was the first of its kind since Israel and the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hizbullah agreed to a ceasefire on November 27th. Since then Unifil said it has observed at least four other incidents involving IDF fire near its positions along the Blue Line. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli army on the incident. 'In recent days, Unifil has also observed other aggressive behaviour by the IDF towards peacekeepers performing operational activities in accordance with Security Council Resolution 1701,' a spokesperson for Unifil said, referring to a UN resolution originally adopted in 2006 to end hostilities between Israel and Hizbullah. Any unauthorised crossing of the Blue Line by land or air from any side constitutes a violation of Security Council Resolution 1701. In another incident south of Alma ash-Shaab on May 7th, laser beams were pointed towards a Unifil patrol from two IDF Merkava tanks. As the patrol began to move, a drone flew approximately five metres above it, following the patrol for about a kilometre, Unifil said in a statement. Separately, on the same day, an aerial vehicle repeatedly flew over a Unifil position east of Houla, the statement added. – Additional reporting Reuters
The Independent
27-03-2025
- General
- The Independent
Father's ‘honour' to serve with son on peacekeeping mission
An Irish Defences Forces veteran of 35 years service has described as an 'honour' to serve alongside his son on peacekeeping duties in south Lebanon. Battalion Sergeant Major Paddy Enfield from Co Donegal has completed tours in Lebanon over the last three decades and described witnessing serious changes across his visits. However, this time, after a life of watching his dad pack up for stints overseas, Private Adam Enfield, said he was enjoying having been able to join him. They are part of the 125th Infantry Battalion which deployed last November as part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil). The force includes nine Maltese soldiers and 330 Irish, working alongside 218 Polish troops and 15 Hungarian based at Camp Shamrock close to the town of At Tiri, around eight km from the Blue Line. Speaking to media at Camp Shamrock, Sergeant Major Enfield said he felt it was an honour that his son had chosen the same career and was with him on his first overseas deployment. He has served 35 years with the Irish Defence Forces and completed 11 tours in Lebanon as well as tours in Kosovo and Chad. 'I first came over here (Lebanon) in 1992, it was a different time and space. Lebanon over the last 30 years has changed dramatically and scenery, serious changes again over the last year or so,' he said. 'Living up to the challenges, doing the best you can for your unit and your country, and you feel like you are helping people.' He said described serving in Lebanon with his son this time as 'brilliant', adding he is treated no different to the others. 'There are 380 soldiers here, they're always someone's daughter or son so there can be no difference,' he added. Pte Enfield said seeing his dad serve was definitely part of the draw to a military career for him. 'I have found it so far great, it's a different experience, and certainly takes you out of your comfort zone and puts into perspective the different things going on in the world,' he said. Meanwhile platoon commander Captain Tadhg Moore described some of the ways in which the soldiers kept up morale while having to spend time in bunkers. He previously served for eight weeks previously from November to January, and described a 'very intense time', and having to spend a lot of time in bunkers. 'It was definitely a very kinetic and volatile environment we found ourselves in,' he said. 'But we had trained diligently and were well prepared for what we found, at the end of the day we're soldiers and we have a long and proud tradition of peace keeping.' He described having to be in bunkers on the outposts as particularly challenging for morale. 'We play chess or we get together and talk, we find different ways to keep morale high and the camaraderie high. 'It definitely was a challenge but it was something we overcame.'
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Father's ‘honour' to serve with son on peacekeeping mission
An Irish Defences Forces veteran of 35 years service has described as an 'honour' to serve alongside his son on peacekeeping duties in south Lebanon. Battalion Sergeant Major Paddy Enfield from Co Donegal has completed tours in Lebanon over the last three decades and described witnessing serious changes across his visits. However, this time, after a life of watching his dad pack up for stints overseas, Private Adam Enfield, said he was enjoying having been able to join him. They are part of the 125th Infantry Battalion which deployed last November as part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil). The force includes nine Maltese soldiers and 330 Irish, working alongside 218 Polish troops and 15 Hungarian based at Camp Shamrock close to the town of At Tiri, around eight km from the Blue Line. Speaking to media at Camp Shamrock, Sergeant Major Enfield said he felt it was an honour that his son had chosen the same career and was with him on his first overseas deployment. He has served 35 years with the Irish Defence Forces and completed 11 tours in Lebanon as well as tours in Kosovo and Chad. 'I first came over here (Lebanon) in 1992, it was a different time and space. Lebanon over the last 30 years has changed dramatically and scenery, serious changes again over the last year or so,' he said. 'Living up to the challenges, doing the best you can for your unit and your country, and you feel like you are helping people.' He said described serving in Lebanon with his son this time as 'brilliant', adding he is treated no different to the others. 'There are 380 soldiers here, they're always someone's daughter or son so there can be no difference,' he added. Pte Enfield said seeing his dad serve was definitely part of the draw to a military career for him. 'I have found it so far great, it's a different experience, and certainly takes you out of your comfort zone and puts into perspective the different things going on in the world,' he said. Meanwhile platoon commander Captain Tadhg Moore described some of the ways in which the soldiers kept up morale while having to spend time in bunkers. He previously served for eight weeks previously from November to January, and described a 'very intense time', and having to spend a lot of time in bunkers. 'It was definitely a very kinetic and volatile environment we found ourselves in,' he said. 'But we had trained diligently and were well prepared for what we found, at the end of the day we're soldiers and we have a long and proud tradition of peace keeping.' He described having to be in bunkers on the outposts as particularly challenging for morale. 'We play chess or we get together and talk, we find different ways to keep morale high and the camaraderie high. 'It definitely was a challenge but it was something we overcame.'
