THE Department of Defence failed to inspect two helicopters when it spent €3 million hiring the aircraft which proved unable to carry soldiers for an EU mission in Chad.

Actor and UN ambassador Ralph Fiennes today paid a brief visit to Irish soldiers in Chad.

Irish troops in Chad’s volatile eastern region flanked dozens of evacuated aid workers today after reports of rebel movements in the troubled area.

The Irish commander of the EU peace enforcement mission to Chad today warned the troubled African region could face a worsening humanitarian situation.

Defence Minister Willie O’Dea today begins an official three-day visit to Irish troops serving in Chad.

People are being asked to spare a thought for members of the Defence Forces who are abroad and away from their families this Christmas.

Irish forces serving in Chad will receive Christmas presents from their families in the coming days.

Irish soldiers being deployed to warn-torn Chad this month will face dangers, they were warned today.

Over 300 Defence Force troops are beginning their final preparations today for their deployment to Chad later this month.

IRISH troops in Chad were monitoring the security situation in the troubled African country last night following an explosion in the capital, N’djamena.

IRISH troops have had more than 200 encounters with armed bandits and have come under fire while defending refugee camps in Chad, the mid-term review of the mission to the embattled African state has been told.

Hundreds of Irish troops may have to remain in war-torn Chad after the March 2009 end-date of the €57m mission, the Defence Minister told the Dáil today.

In the complex, long-running war the real peacekeeper’s weapon can be an understanding of human nature and some good communication skills

SENDING in troops to protect refugees and aid agencies at the very heart of a humanitarian crisis may seem like an obvious move, but for Ireland and Europe it has been a very controversial one.

THE sign reads Chad International Airport, but there is just a handful of airplanes are parked on the sandy, red runway — and certainly no duty-free.

BOTH the UN and Javier Solana, the EU’s foreign policy chief, have defended the actions of Irish troops in Chad when armed groups tried to attack refugee camps and NGO compounds at the weekend.

IRISH troops came under fire from rebel groups in Chad where they are protecting refugee camps close to the Darfur border.

Defence Minister Willie O’Dea is due to visit Irish troops serving in Chad tomorrow despite weekend clashes in the troubled country.

Irish troops are patrolling refugee camps again in Chad after coming under fire during clashes between rebels and government forces yesterday.

The Defence Forces have said that Irish troops will continue with their mission in Chad as normal after coming under fire yesterday afternoon.

Irish troops in Chad have come under fire, it has been revealed.

IN TEMPERATURES of up to 55°C and in one of the most dangerous parts of the world, members of the Irish army were among the first to vote in the Lisbon treaty referendum.

More than 160 troops bound for eastern Chad will depart Ireland tonight for one of their most dangerous and challenging missions to date.

IRISH troops went into battle yesterday in a final test ahead of their peacekeeping mission to war-torn Chad.

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

Some 2,700 tonnes of equipment, 100 vehicles and trailers and enough food and water for 400 people for four months will be shipped out to Chad by the Irish Defence Forces tonight.