Hundreds of people lined the streets of Donegal Town yesterday to say a fond farewell to the 109th Battalion who will embark on peace-keeping duty with UNIFIL.
The soldiers were addressed by Minister Paul Kehoe, the Minister with Responsibility for defence.
Special tribute was paid to Corporal Gavin Carey who life tragically in a drowning accident in Bundoran recently.
Below the picture special is the full speech of Minister Kehoe.
Chief of Staff, Vice Admiral Mark Mellett, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. It is a great pleasure for me to be here in Donegal today to review personnel of the 109th Infantry Battalion, who will travel to Lebanon shortly for service with the United Nations Interim Force. You are all very welcome to this important event.
May I begin today by remembering the late Corporal Gavin Carey who tragically lost his life in a drowning incident in August while on pre-deployment training in Finner Camp, while preparing for this mission. Corporal Carey was your colleague and friend and should have been with us here today but sadly that was not to be. I would like to extend my deepest sympathies and that of the Government to his family, his many friends and to all of you.
Occasions such as this remind us of the great pride we can take, in the work which the Defence Forces have done, and continue to do, as peacekeepers throughout the world, often in very challenging environments. You the men and women of the 109th Infantry Battalion are the latest to continue this tradition.
Ireland’s participation in UN and UN mandated missions demonstrate the very positive and practical difference that small countries, like Ireland, can make in the world’s trouble spots.
Tomorrow I will travel to Mali, accompanied by the Secretary General of my Department and the Chief of Staff, to witness at firsthand the work of your colleagues, involved in the European Union Training Mission in Mali.
Currently, just under 500 members of the Defence Forces are serving overseas. UNIFIL represents Ireland’s largest overseas deployment, with some 220 personnel currently serving in Lebanon as part of a Finnish/Irish Battalion. With your deployment, Ireland will take over command from Finland and bring Ireland’s contribution to UNIFIL to some 370 personnel, our largest contingent since November 2013.
The UNIFIL mission comprises over 10,000 troops from 40 countries. It is supported by 848 international and local civilian staff. It focuses on the restoration of peace and security in the region, through observing, monitoring and reporting on developments in its area of operation.
The mission is a force for stability, thanks to the great work of the military and civilian personnel, and cooperation with UNIFIL’s main strategic partner, the Lebanese Armed Forces.
Since the mission was first established in 1978, Ireland has a long and proud tradition of contributing to UNIFIL, whether by way of major infantry deployments, force protection elements, or staff officers.
Our participation in this mission is part and parcel of the DNA of our Defence Forces participation in overseas missions.
When in the Lebanon you will serve alongside troops from Finland and Estonia. Partnership with other like-minded States is an important element of our peacekeeping operations. It allows us to take on a greater range of operations in support of the United Nations than we might not otherwise undertake.
In addition to working alongside your Finnish and Estonian counterparts you will also be working with soldiers from countries such as Spain, Italy, Fiji and Nepal.
I have had the opportunity of visiting our troops in UNIFIL on a number of occasions and most recently in July of this year, for the transfer of the Head of Mission and Force Commander to Major General Beary, who is supported by additional personnel from Ireland. This was and remains a very proud event for Ireland.
While I was there I was able to witness, at first hand, the dedication, professionalism and tremendous work of our colleagues.
I understand that personnel from 24 counties around Ireland are represented here today. The main contributing unit is the 28th Infantry Battalion based in Finner Camp with 59 personnel. Among those deploying are two sets of brothers, Corporals Ronan and Glen Matthews and Privates Ronan and Brian Corry. Also deploying are brothers from 1 Brigade, Corporals Robert and Aidan Webster. The youngest person deploying is a 20 year old, Private Oisin Redican from No. 1 Platoon, B Company.
I note also that for 95 of you, this is your first tour of duty overseas. Other members of the Group, of course, are quite experienced and have had many tours of duty overseas. Sgt Declan Higgins has the most overseas deployments and this will be his 12th mission overseas. He is followed closely by Regimental Sergeant Major Mick Dillon who has served ten tours of duty overseas. I congratulate you both on your on-going commitment to international peacekeeping. I know that your previous experience will be a source of inspiration and guidance for those deploying for the first time.
A small number of you are deploying on Family Friendly Appointments, and you will be in Lebanon for a 3 month tour of duty and your counterpart will work the following 3 months. I am delighted to see the positive take-up of these opportunities; I hope to see more of it into the future.
There are also a total of 21 female personnel here today. I really believe that the deployment of female peacekeepers significantly contributes to the achievement of sustainable peace. The presence of women contributes greatly to the sense of security of local populations. It broadens the skills set available within a peacekeeping mission and importantly provides role models for women, both at home and abroad.
The promotion of a strong gender perspective is a key element of all our peacekeeping operations. The further development of female participation in peacekeeping contingents is one of the projects which I will continue to advance.
I know service with the United Nations demands a wide variety of skills and personal qualities. Throughout the years, Defence Forces personnel serving with the UNIFIL battalions and other overseas missions such as the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights, have worked hard to enhance Ireland’s reputation as a peacekeeping nation. You now have the opportunity to play your part. I have no doubt that you will all endeavour to maintain Ireland’s reputation abroad and contribute to the high regard in which Ireland is held throughout the world.
The decision by Government to send troops overseas is not taken lightly. Your safety and the safety of all Irish Defence Forces personnel serving on all overseas missions is always the primary concern for me, my Government colleagues and the military authorities. Our ability to protect your health and safety is of paramount concern when considering any mission.
The Defence Forces have assured me that all appropriate security measures are in place to ensure the safety of all Defence Forces personnel serving with UNIFIL.
Your pre-deployment training began in Finner Camp when this Unit was formally established in early September. You have all now completed robust training exercises designed to prepare you for the scenarios which you may encounter while serving overseas with UNIFIL. This intensive training was necessary to ensure that all of you are well prepared to discharge your duties effectively in the mission area in Southern Lebanon.
I commend, and thank each and every one of you on your decision to take on this mission. It is important to acknowledge that Ireland’s substantial contribution to international peace support operations cannot happen without your ongoing commitment to serve overseas in often difficult and dangerous circumstances.
You have a difficult job ahead but be assured that the Government and the public at large fully support you. The members of Oglaigh na hEireann have always stepped up to the challenges set before them, just as you are doing today. I have no doubt that as members of the 109th Infantry Battalion you will carry out your duties with compassion and demonstrate the professionalism we have come to expect from our Defence Forces. By your participation in this mission you have an opportunity to make a tangible difference to the lives of many disadvantaged and vulnerable people.
I am delighted to see so many of your families and friends here today to bid you farewell and wish you a safe tour of duty and return home. Their support and encouragement is deeply valued. I thank them for this, as it enables you to serve abroad and thereby help to protect and save the lives of countless numbers of some of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable.
I know a lot of good work is also achieved through agricultural and sporting activities. This type of work is extremely valuable in terms of building relationships of trust with the local communities. It contributes to the acceptance of your presence in Lebanon, thereby making it a safer place to live.
Finally, I want to wish each and every member of 109th Infantry Battalion UNIFIL, under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Howard, a safe and successful mission. You are travelling to Lebanon with my best wishes and those of the rest of the nation.