Organisation: UNIFIL

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Organisation: UNIFIL

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p> President Michael D Higgins receiving Chief of Staff Rossa Mulcahy at Áras an Uachtaráin in July. Brigadier General Mulcahy has said the ending of the Unifi mission was 'not welcome' and poses a 'big challenge' for the Defence Forces. Picture: Tony Maxwell/Maxwell’s</p>

news

End of Ireland's 47-year Unifil mission in Lebanon deemed 'a major setback'

Chief of Staff said the new challenge for Ireland's Defence Forces move is 'not welcome' — while the defence minister said the US-Israeli move to end the Unifil mission is 'wholly irresponsible'

<p>Irish Defence Forces soldiers at Camp Shamrock near the Lebanon-Israel border in March this year. Picture: Niall Carson/PA </p>

politics

TD who served with Unifil warns end of UN Lebanon mandate would be 'catastrophic'

<p>A UN source says there are casualties and they are not Irish. Picture: @DefenceForces</p>

news

Israeli forces firing on peacekeepers 'extraordinarily concerning', says Harris

Adolescent drinking beer

ourview

Irish Examiner view: The anonymity of teenagers appearing in court may be coming to an end

Irish citizens could be evacuated from Lebanon on new Defence Forces planes if tensions escalate

news

Irish citizens could be evacuated from Lebanon on new Defence Forces planes if tensions escalate

Letters to the Editor: Fitting tribute to Irish soldier who died a hero in Lebanon

yourview

Letters to the Editor: Fitting tribute to Irish soldier who died a hero in Lebanon

Tanaiste Micheal Martin visit to Lebanon

Irish peacekeepers in crossfire as Lebanon situation 'tense and unpredictable'

Since November, Irish peacekeepers have had to retreat for cover in bunkers hundreds of times, sometimes multiple times a day and for periods of up to seven hours

Mon, 20 May, 2024

Troops Ministerial Troop Review

Defence Forces to review how it awards medals

At present, there are two different types of medals awarded by the Defence Forces in Ireland

Mon, 06 May, 2024

Our posturing on Gaza makes Ireland complicit too

Our posturing on Gaza makes Ireland complicit too

Ireland is lauded for speaking up on Palestine, but it's not enough, writes Colin Sheridan

Fri, 05 Apr, 2024

Defence Forces' medal parade interrupted by shelling in southern Lebanon

Defence Forces' medal parade interrupted by shelling in southern Lebanon

It is not clear who shot the video but it helps illustrate how close some explosions have been to the base since Israel invaded Gaza

Tue, 19 Mar, 2024

07/11/2013. Ministerial Review of the Lebanon Boun

Letters to the Editor: Irish defence forces in Middle East only serve Israel’s aims

Speaking this week on the Claire Byrne programme, Cathal Berry TD said it is in Ireland’s “vital interest” that Irish troops stay in Lebanon to prevent the regional war from escalating.

Fri, 12 Jan, 2024

TOPSHOT-LEBANON-ISRAEL-PALESTINIAN-CONFLICT-BORDER

Irish troops prepared for upsurge in violence following Gaza hospital bombing

Troops deployed on the Israel/Lebanon border have twice been forced to take shelter as the both sides fire missiles over their heads

Wed, 18 Oct, 2023

Irish soldiers take shelter in south Lebanon amid 'sporadic' fire across border with Israel

Irish soldiers take shelter in south Lebanon amid 'sporadic' fire across border with Israel

Unifil troops took shelter in 'Groundhog' measures but will continue their peacekeeping operations in the tense border region

Sat, 14 Oct, 2023

Camp Shamrock fights hard to come to terms with Seán Rooney's death

Camp Shamrock fights hard to come to terms with Seán Rooney's death

Behind the daily routines, Camp Shamrock is still coming to terms with the death of Private Seán Rooney, writes Neil Michael

Sat, 28 Jan, 2023

Sean O'Riordan: Defence Forces are sleepwalking towards a staffing crisis

Sean O'Riordan: Defence Forces are sleepwalking towards a staffing crisis

Inadequate pay, pensions, and conditions are driving personnel out of Ireland's Army, Air Corps, and Navy

Mon, 16 Jan, 2023

Memorial Mass hears of impact made by soldier Seán Rooney

Memorial Mass hears of impact made by soldier Seán Rooney

The UN peacekeeper was killed during an attack in Lebanon on December 14

Sat, 14 Jan, 2023

Unifil report to say attack which led to Seán Rooney's death was not premeditated

Unifil report to say attack which led to Seán Rooney's death was not premeditated

The report is also expected to confirm that the one Unifil vehicle in a position to rescue him and his colleagues couldn’t because it broke down

Wed, 11 Jan, 2023

Private Sean Rooney death

Hezbollah claims it stopped more Irish soldiers being shot on night Seán Rooney was killed

Hezbollah members 'arrived very quickly on scene of crashed vehicle and protected those inside from being attacked'

Thu, 29 Dec, 2022

Taoiseach plans to visit peacekeepers in 2023 after death of Private Seán Rooney

Taoiseach plans to visit peacekeepers in 2023 after death of Private Seán Rooney

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar hopes to make a visit to Irish Peacekeepers serving abroad in the wake of the death of Private Seán Rooney. It comes as Lebanon’s Hezbollah handed over a man suspected of killing the UN peacekeeper to Lebanese Armed Forces.

Tue, 27 Dec, 2022

Orphans present wreath in honour of Seán Rooney at Camp Shamrock

Orphans present wreath in honour of Seán Rooney at Camp Shamrock

Girls from a Lebanese orphanage supported by the Defence Forces have presented colleagues with their condolences over his death.

Sat, 24 Dec, 2022

Private Sean Rooney death

Unifil report on soldier's death due 'in days'

At least two men are due to be handed over to the Lebanese armed forces

Fri, 23 Dec, 2022

Irish Examiner view: Support our soldiers

Irish Examiner view: Support our soldiers

Thu, 22 Dec, 2022

Sean Rooney death

Officer says Seán Rooney's death brings back memories of his own brother's killing

Retired Commandant Conal Murphy, brother of Lieutenant Aonghus Murphy killed in 1986 in Lebanon, said: “I would love to see justice for his family."

Tue, 20 Dec, 2022

Irish soldiers just four minutes from main highway when shooting took place

Irish soldiers just four minutes from main highway when shooting took place

It has also emerged that there was a similar roadblocking incident to last Wednesday involving UNIFIL personnel who had been lost in the same area

Tue, 20 Dec, 2022

Remains of Pte. Sean Rooney Repatriated

Pte Seán Rooney to be buried with full military honours

Private Shane Kearney, from Killeagh, Co Cork, who was seriously injured in the incident remains in a serious condition in hospital

Mon, 19 Dec, 2022

Defence Forces' aircraft on standby to repatriate Pte Seán Rooney's remains

Defence Forces' aircraft on standby to repatriate Pte Seán Rooney's remains

The Casa aircraft will also be ready for the medical transportation of Tpr Shane Kearney from Lebanon to Ireland

Sat, 17 Dec, 2022

Irish peacekeeper convoy not accompanied by local soldiers

Irish peacekeeper convoy not accompanied by local soldiers

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the three investigations into what happened will have to be “very comprehensive” and Ireland is “determined to get the truth”

Sat, 17 Dec, 2022

Flowers for Pte. Sean Rooney at Aiken Barracks

Stricken Irish peacekeeper vehicle had no back-up from Lebanese armed forces

Communications with the attacked vehicle also appear to have failed

Sat, 17 Dec, 2022

Killeagh prays for critically ill soldier as nation mourns fallen comrade

Killeagh prays for critically ill soldier as nation mourns fallen comrade

A warm light glowed out into the cold night from the church's ornate stained glass windows as hundreds of people came to pray for Tpr Kearney.

Fri, 16 Dec, 2022

LEBANON-ISRAEL-CONFLICT-UNIFIL

Irish Examiner view: Peace often comes at a terrible cost

All of Ireland is mourning Private Seán Rooney and praying for Trooper Shane Kearney. The whole world owes its gratitude to them, their injured colleagues, and all our peacekeepers

Fri, 16 Dec, 2022

LEBANON-UN-CONFLICT-IRELAND

Irish peacekeepers live on high alert, ready for any sudden escalation

'Firing can come from anywhere, it might not even be directed at us, but we could just be caught in the middle of it'

Thu, 15 Dec, 2022

The Irish Defence Forces personnel who have died overseas

The Irish Defence Forces personnel who have died overseas

Of the 46 Irish Defence Forces personnel who had died serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) until the tragic incident in Lebanon that , 15 died in the line of fire.

Thu, 15 Dec, 2022

Lebanon UN

Tributes paid to Irish peacekeeper who 'paid the ultimate price in the service of peace'

President Higgins said private Rooney lost his life 'serving the people of Ireland, serving the United Nations, and serving all those wishing for peace in our shared world'

Thu, 15 Dec, 2022

Soldier killed in Lebanon named as Private Seán Rooney; Cork soldier among three injured

Soldier killed in Lebanon named as Private Seán Rooney; Cork soldier among three injured

Those in the 121st Battalion who had come under fire had only begun their tour of duty in November

Thu, 15 Dec, 2022

Orphanage helped by Irish soldiers in Lebanon appeals for funds

Orphanage helped by Irish soldiers in Lebanon appeals for funds

Irish medics serving with the UN also do health checks on the children and provide an element of care for them.

Tue, 14 Jun, 2022

Ireland would send peacekeepers to Ukraine if asked – Taoiseach

Ireland would send peacekeepers to Ukraine if asked – Taoiseach

Ireland would be ready to enter into any peacekeeping operation in Ukraine if asked, the Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said.

Mon, 30 May, 2022

Families of Irish peacekeepers killed in Lebanon call for cold case review

Families of Irish peacekeepers killed in Lebanon call for cold case review

Just one person has been convicted of murdering Irish peacekeepers in Lebanon, despite 15 people being killed during live action

Mon, 30 May, 2022

‘Walking on the shoulders of giants’: Irish peacekeepers continue to serve with dignity in Lebanon

‘Walking on the shoulders of giants’: Irish peacekeepers continue to serve with dignity in Lebanon

Some of the steps Lieutenant Colonel Denis Hanly and the soldiers he commands take as they serve in Lebanon fall on the same ground where Irish peacekeepers who died once tread.

Sun, 29 May, 2022

Taoiseach honours 47 Irish soldiers who died serving in Lebanon

Taoiseach honours 47 Irish soldiers who died serving in Lebanon

Simon Coveney, Minister for Defence, was also in attendance and he also laid a wreath

Sun, 29 May, 2022

'My baby brother was killed within a week of his second tour of Lebanon'

'My baby brother was killed within a week of his second tour of Lebanon'

Members of the Defence Forces serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon had to dodge warring militias, tank fire, and fanatical bombmakers. Neil Michael spoke to some of the families of the 47 who died in the region

Tue, 24 May, 2022

Irish soldiers tread the Blue Line as they maintain peace in South Lebanon

Irish soldiers tread the Blue Line as they maintain peace in South Lebanon

At Camp Shamrock, 330 Irish troops serve alongside members of the Polish, Hungarian, and Maltese forces as part of the 500-strong Irish-Polish Battalion

Sun, 27 Feb, 2022

Soldiers plan fundraisers 5,500km apart for maternity hospitals

Soldiers plan fundraisers 5,500km apart for maternity hospitals

A platoon representing every corps and every barracks in the Defence Forces will compete in the Great Limerick Run half marathon in full uniform

Tue, 15 Feb, 2022

Stark warning Defence Forces are at historic low strength

Stark warning Defence Forces are at historic low strength

Workload for those remaining in Ireland's military has been driven up as a result and job satisfaction has been driven down, conference told

Wed, 24 Nov, 2021

Ireland urges Israel and Lebanon to 'avoid escalation'

Ireland urges Israel and Lebanon to 'avoid escalation'

Shortly about to take up the presidency of the UN Security Council, Ireland has called for the countries to step back from this 'very dangerous' situation after today's shelling

Fri, 06 Aug, 2021

'Woman could hold top Defence Forces role in next 10 years'

'Woman could hold top Defence Forces role in next 10 years'

In 2015 the Defence White Paper set a target of having 15% of the Defence Forces strength made up of women within 10 years — however the target is less than halfway there

Sat, 08 May, 2021

Spare a thought for Ireland's peacekeepers away from home at Christmas

Spare a thought for Ireland's peacekeepers away from home at Christmas

Hundreds of Irish Defence Forces personnel are away from their loved as they help to maintain peace in far-flung locations

Sat, 02 Jan, 2021

Irish troops returning from Lebanon could face two-week quarantine period

Troops delayed in returning from UN deployment in Lebanon may not be able to see their families for another two weeks after touching down on Irish soil, as it's likely they'll be forced to self-isolate in military barracks.

Fri, 15 May, 2020

State Archives: Bomb that killed Irish soldiers thought to be revenge attack

State Archives: Bomb that killed Irish soldiers thought to be revenge attack

The claim emerged after the three men died in a roadside bomb blast in Lebanon in 1989.

Mon, 30 Dec, 2019

Land for peace is fool’s gold when it comes to the Middle East

Land for peace is fool’s gold when it comes to the Middle East

Today is Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement for Jewish people. It is 45 years since the war which bore its name.

Wed, 19 Sep, 2018

Defence Forces ‘failings’ on soldier deaths

Defence Forces ‘failings’ on soldier deaths

An independent review into the murder of one Irish soldier and the disappearance of another in south Lebanon in 1981 has identified a series of failings and shortcomings in the Defence Forces operation.

Sat, 09 Jun, 2018