UN medal honour for Irish troops serving in Lebanon

IRISH troops on duty in the Lebanon wore shamrock on their berets as the UN honoured their role in peacekeeping at the weekend.

Brigadier General Pat Hayes, the commanding officer of the Southern Brigade, watched on St Patrick’s Day as 81 soldiers from the 158-strong contingent on duty close to the contentious “Blue Line” that divides Israel and Lebanon, were presented with the UNIFIL 2 medal. Thirty-seven were first-time recipients.

The medal recognises the role of UN peacekeepers.