Irish peacekeepers return from Lebanon
By Cillian Sherlock, Press Association
The “whole nation should be proud” of Irish peacekeepers, their commanding officer said, as around 160 returned home from Lebanon.
In a flurry of Irish tricolours mingled with the blue of UN flags, there were cheers and emotional reunions as the soldiers hugged their family members in Terminal 2 of Dublin Airport as personnel from the 127th Infantry Batallion returned home from their overseas duties late on Tuesday night.
Children were placed on top of army gear bags and wheeled through the crowded terminal as hundreds of people gathered to see their loved ones home safe.
Returning from her sixth overseas mission, Paula Quinn said it was “fantastic” and “absolutely brilliant” to be home as she greeted her son Jack.
Maria Kennedy said it was brilliant that her daughter and her colleagues were home safe, saying, “It is time now for some rest and celebration.”
Leah Kennedy told the Press Association: “I’m delighted to be home now for family time, chilling out and relaxing.”
They had been taking part in United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) operations in the region during the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
Battalion personnel were involved in multiple operations in support of other contributing countries to Unifil, such as the medical evacuation of a wounded Ghanaian soldier and resupplying other United Nations Posts during volatile periods.
Oisin Duff, an engineering commandant, was involved in the fire crew that rescued the soldier in the nighttime operation amid explosions and nearby gunfire.
He told reporters the “great team came together” amid many different “challenging experiences”.
“You don’t have time to think other than to make sure you do the best thing you can and help people in such a serious situation”.
Asked how it felt to be back, Mr Duff said he unfortunately missed his leave and so his return “was a long time coming”, adding: “It is absolutely fantastic to be back.”
In December, a patrol from the 127th Infantry Battalion was fired upon near Bint Jbeil.
All members were reported to be safe after the small-arms fire incident.
Lieutenant Colonel Mark Lennon, the commanding officer of the 127th Infantry Battalion, said: “It is a really kinetic environment over there. It is obviously a conflict zone, but we’ve had a lot of training and preparation.”
He said the men and women under his command “blew him away”, and said: “The whole nation should be proud of them.”
Also reuniting with his “relieved” family, Lt Col Lennon told reporters that the Defence Forces have “brilliant capabilities” and were “punching way above our weight”.
“Even in the conflict zone and in those dangerous missions, our troops are well capable – they thrived in that environment.”
He said there were airstrikes, tank rounds, munition strikes, and drone strikes as well as machine gun fire in the area.
Asked about the incident were a patrol came under fire in December, Lt Col Lennon said the “direct small arms fire” incident was still under investigation by Unifil.
“While that was a relatively serious incident at the time, there were also several other incidents that got our attention over the six months.”
Irish personnel continue to serve as part of a joint Irish-Polish Battalion, alongside troops from Hungary.
Ireland acts as the lead nation, providing the commanding officer as well as the majority of personnel and key logistical supports.
The Battalion is deployed in Sector West, with its main base at Bint Jbeil and forward positions along the Blue Line between Lebanon and Israel.
The Unifil mission’s operational mandate is currently scheduled to end on New Year’s Eve, with a subsequent drawdown and withdrawal expected to take place in 2027.
Lt Col Lennon said there were “mixed emotions” coming home, given the “devastation” among the 14 villages in the Irish area of operations.
“It is war-torn, and its damaged – and in many ways, it was poignant and quite sad leaving.”
He said: “Ireland has been there since 1978 – the year I was born myself – so we have massive connections with the people, and so many people have been involved with the Irish for years in that location.
“Leaving the location in the situation now is not nice for anyone, so we really feel for the really good local population there.”
The Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy, met with some of the returning families at the terminal.
Reflecting on the overall mission, he said: “This year will bring an almost five-decade legacy of operations in Unifil to a close for Oglaigh na hEireann.
“I have full faith in Lt Col (Damian) Carroll and the 128th Infantry Battalion in executing the mandate, with professionalism, amidst the high volatility of the region.”
He said Army personnel are trained to the highest standard and equipped with the necessary force protection measures to enable them to operate in conflict zones and mitigate risks.
He said: “Our role in Unifil is more important now, than ever, as we act as the eyes and ears of the international community.”
Lt Col Lennon said Lt Col Carroll and the 128th Infantry Battalion were going into difficult conditions but were in “safe hands”.
Defence Minister Helen McEntee said: “The safety and security of our personnel remains our paramount priority, particularly given the current volatile and unpredictable situation in the region.”
Ireland’s contribution to Unifil will remain at approximately 350 personnel for the rest of the year.
This includes an Infantry Battalion as well as personnel serving at Unifil Headquarters in Naqoura and at Sector West Headquarters in Shama.
The 128th Infantry Battalion rotation is currently ongoing, replacing the 127th Infantry Battalion as part of the normal rotation cycle, and is scheduled to be fully completed by Wednesday.
The Department of Defence said Ireland will continue to “work closely” with the United Nations, EU partners and international stakeholders to support stability in Lebanon after the mission.
