Two Glenswilly brothers are undergoing two weeks of military training exercises today ahead of their deployment to the Israeli-Syrian border in the occupied Golan Heights.
Ryan and Paddy Diver are members of the Defence Forces which will head overseas in a month’s time.
The well-known brothers were interviewed by RTE News yesterday while on exercise in Co Wicklow.
The men will be part of the 67th Infantry Group which will deploy to the occupied Golan Heights in April.
It will be the first deployment of Irish troops overseas since the death of Private Sean Rooney in Lebanon in December.
The Defence Forces say they constantly update their operating procedures based on the lessons learned from previous missions and incidents.
“The tragic loss of Private Rooney highlighted the dangerous nature of the work that we do,” said Lieutenant Colonel David Morgan.
“We constantly update our standard operating procedures based on all the lessons we have learned from every incident and from every tour of duty that we do.
“They’re all fed into this and these exercises are designed to mitigate the worst case scenarios.”
Some 130 Irish troops took part in exercises in the Glen of Imaal in Co Wicklow yesterday.
The exercises are designed to prepare them from all possible conflict scenarios, including potential ambush.
For one third of this unit, this will be their first deployment overseas.
“We’re a learning organisation so we all have to start somewhere,” Battery Sergeant Major David O’Reilly said.
“There’s lots of experience travelling with them, to look after them, to mentor them and guide them.”
The Diver brothers were in good form as they prepare to head overseas.
Paddy Diver will be going on his first mission overseas but has his big brother Ryan to accompany him, and is not too sure whether that is a benefit.
“Oh he’s been bossing me around for a long time so I’m well used to it,” Paddy said laughing.
“We’re in the one section as well,” said Ryan. “So he’s going nowhere.”
