Military police return from Sarajevo

THE last contingent of military police to serve in Sarajevo arrived home yesterday but the Irish defence force is preparing to increase its commitment to the Balkans’ region.

Defence Forces Chief of Staff Lt General Colm Mangan complimented the police for their contribution to the Stabilisation Force (SFOR) in Bosnia.

More than 600 military police, men and women, served in the region since June 1997.

Greeting the contingent at Dublin Airport, Lt Gen Mangan said during visits to SFOR headquarters in Sarajevo and also in Brussels, he was pleased to receive complimentary reports on the service of the military police.

Defence Minister Michael Smith was unable to welcome home the contingent due to a last-minute change in their flight schedule.

The defence forces have retained 15 staff at SFOR headquarters till June 2004.