Families' fears rise as 94 Finner Camp troops prepare for Lebanon 

Almost 100 soldiers from Finner Camp will be deployed to war-torn Lebanon next month.

Fears have heightened among families of the troops who will travel to Lebanon as part of the 125th Infantry Battalion.

A total of 94 personnel from the 28th Infantry Battalion in Finner Camp will be a part of the unit.

“This deployment is scheduled to take place in November and at this time that deployment is proceeding as planned,” a spokesperson for the Irish Defence Forces told Donegal Live.

Last month, the Defence Forces’ Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Sean Clancy, spent some time visiting the peacekeepers at Finner in training for their mission.

“This is certainly a worrying time for the families of the soldiers who are getting ready to go to Lebanon,” Bundoran-based Sinn Féin Councillor Michael McMahon said.

“It highlights the very important work that our troops do under the flag, especially in places like Lebanon.

“It appears as if the war is escalating and there isn’t much sign of a ceasefire. What you would hope is that, by the time the battalion gets out in November that there is some resolution.” 

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The news of the impending departure of a dozens of Donegal-based soldiers comes just days after members of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) were placed close to a border outpost near the Israel-Lebanon border guarded by 30 Irish troops.

The departure of Israeli forces from the UNP6-52 near Maroun El Ras in south Lebanon - just 8km from Camp Shamrock, the main Irish base - was subsequently welcomed.

There had been growing concerns for the safety of the Irish peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) amid heightened conflict in the area with the Israelis breaching the Blue Line demarcation.

There are around 300 Irish peacekeepers in Lebanon with the 124th Infantry Battalion UNIFIL at present.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Irish Defence Forces confirmed UN reports that there were no IDF personnel or vehicles observed in the vicinity of their position.

“Defence Forces personnel deployed in Lebanon are currently maintaining a robust operational presence,” they said.

“They are well equipped with sufficient provisions to ensure long-term sustainability during their mission. This includes adequate supplies of food and water, which are essential to meet the operational needs of the troops throughout their deployment.

“The Irish Defence Forces personnel remain committed to their mission, closely monitoring the situation while ensuring their safety and effectiveness in operations.

“The strategic landscape is evolving, and the Defence Forces are prepared to adapt to these changes as necessary.

“The Irish Defence Forces continue to perform their duties with professionalism and courage, serving as vital components in factually reporting the live situation.”

Earlier this week, Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Micheál Martin said the action, which he called “reckless behaviour”, by Israeli military in Lebanon “endangers and compromises the safety and security of Irish troops”.