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19/05/2008
Over 160 Irish Troops Land In Chad
More than 160 Irish Troops have been deployed in Chad as part of an EU peacekeeping mission.
The mission has been described a one of the most challenging and dangerous missions facing the Irish troops as they face protecting over 400,000 Darfur refugees in 50 degree temperatures.
Last month, then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern voiced concerns over the European Union-United Nations sponsored mission involving Irish troops in Chad.
Speaking to students at Harvard University in Boston, Mr Ahern said the Government believed the operation would be a difficult one for the Irish involved in the mission.
However he told the audience it was right for Irish soldiers to participate in the military operation in order to help save the lives of the displaced people and refugees from Darfur.
According to the United Nations, Chad has been affected by a humanitarian crisis since at least 2001. The amount of refugees fleeing Sudan’s Darfur conflict have apparently crippled the country, with a UN spokesperson suggesting the situation is growing into an "humanitarian crisis".
Defence Minister Willie O'Dea said: "The mission in Chad, without doubt, has its risks but more than 400,000 refugees fleeing the bloody conflict in Darfur need our help."
Commandant Feargal Purcell of the Defence Forces said more than 200 Irish personnel including engineers, logisticians and some 50 Army Rangers, were already deployed in Goz Beida in south eastern Chad to set up camp and pave the way for the main body of troops.
See: Ahern Warns Of Difficulties In Irish Operation In Chad
(DW)
The mission has been described a one of the most challenging and dangerous missions facing the Irish troops as they face protecting over 400,000 Darfur refugees in 50 degree temperatures.
Last month, then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern voiced concerns over the European Union-United Nations sponsored mission involving Irish troops in Chad.
Speaking to students at Harvard University in Boston, Mr Ahern said the Government believed the operation would be a difficult one for the Irish involved in the mission.
However he told the audience it was right for Irish soldiers to participate in the military operation in order to help save the lives of the displaced people and refugees from Darfur.
According to the United Nations, Chad has been affected by a humanitarian crisis since at least 2001. The amount of refugees fleeing Sudan’s Darfur conflict have apparently crippled the country, with a UN spokesperson suggesting the situation is growing into an "humanitarian crisis".
Defence Minister Willie O'Dea said: "The mission in Chad, without doubt, has its risks but more than 400,000 refugees fleeing the bloody conflict in Darfur need our help."
Commandant Feargal Purcell of the Defence Forces said more than 200 Irish personnel including engineers, logisticians and some 50 Army Rangers, were already deployed in Goz Beida in south eastern Chad to set up camp and pave the way for the main body of troops.
See: Ahern Warns Of Difficulties In Irish Operation In Chad
(DW)
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16 May 2008
'Large Irish Presence' At Cannes
The focal point for the Irish film industry at the Cannes Film Festival, the Irish Pavilion, has opened again for business this week, with over 200 of the leading lights of the Irish film industry flying out to the festival to promote and sell new Irish cinema.
'Large Irish Presence' At Cannes
The focal point for the Irish film industry at the Cannes Film Festival, the Irish Pavilion, has opened again for business this week, with over 200 of the leading lights of the Irish film industry flying out to the festival to promote and sell new Irish cinema.
24 February 2009
O'Dea Begins Chad Visit
Defence Minister Willie O'Dea has began a three-day visit to Irish troops serving in war-torn Chad. Mr O'Dea is to hold talks tonight in Chad capital N'Djamena, where he will brief senior UN officials and Chadian political leaders on the current conflict.
O'Dea Begins Chad Visit
Defence Minister Willie O'Dea has began a three-day visit to Irish troops serving in war-torn Chad. Mr O'Dea is to hold talks tonight in Chad capital N'Djamena, where he will brief senior UN officials and Chadian political leaders on the current conflict.
17 June 2008
Defence Minister Says Chad Attack Was Mistake
The Irish defence Minister has said that an attack by Chadian rebels on Irish forces in the war-torn country could have been "a mistake". Speaking as he arrived in Chad's capital N'Djamena, Minister Willie O'Dea said he believed the attack on Saturday was a "knee-jerk" reaction by rebels, and the shooting was a mistake.
Defence Minister Says Chad Attack Was Mistake
The Irish defence Minister has said that an attack by Chadian rebels on Irish forces in the war-torn country could have been "a mistake". Speaking as he arrived in Chad's capital N'Djamena, Minister Willie O'Dea said he believed the attack on Saturday was a "knee-jerk" reaction by rebels, and the shooting was a mistake.
16 June 2008
Irish soldiers in hour-long firefight with Chad rebels
Irish troops came under fire at the weekend when rebels trying to topple President Idriss Deby attacked a town in eastern Chad where refugees were sheltering. There was heavy fighting for about an hour, but it was not clear if there were casualties. Eastern Chad is temporary home to some 300,000 refugees who have fled the Darfur conflict in Sudan.
Irish soldiers in hour-long firefight with Chad rebels
Irish troops came under fire at the weekend when rebels trying to topple President Idriss Deby attacked a town in eastern Chad where refugees were sheltering. There was heavy fighting for about an hour, but it was not clear if there were casualties. Eastern Chad is temporary home to some 300,000 refugees who have fled the Darfur conflict in Sudan.
13 August 2008
Irish Troops Chopper Into Chad
Irish troops presently undertaking operations in Chad have been sent three helicopters to help cope with monsoon conditions in the African state. The wet season in Chad has severely limited ground movement by all sides and the choppers are seen as vital for the force to fulfil its mission.
Irish Troops Chopper Into Chad
Irish troops presently undertaking operations in Chad have been sent three helicopters to help cope with monsoon conditions in the African state. The wet season in Chad has severely limited ground movement by all sides and the choppers are seen as vital for the force to fulfil its mission.
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Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
