Soldiers were today put through their paces during intense preparations for one of Ireland’s most dangerous missions to date.

Defence Minister Willie O’Dea today begins a two-day trip to Kosovo and Austria.

Austria’s parliament approved a ban on cluster munitions yesterday, making the Alpine republic one of the few nations to take decisive action against the weapons.

Four suspects linked to two videos showing young Austrian soldiers engaged in Nazi-oriented behaviour have temporarily been relieved of their duties, a defence ministry statement said today.