Government ministers plead with EU for Chad mission helicopters

The EU mission to Chad will be delayed for at least a month if the member states cannot come up with 10 helicopters by tomorrow.

A trio of Irish men, Defence Minister Willie O’Dea, Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern and Operation Commander, Lieutenant General Pat Nash, made a plea to EU ministers in Brussels yesterday for the necessary equipment.

Ireland is contributing the second largest force — more than 400 soldiers — to the 3,600 mission that was due to begin in December but is likely to be delayed until January at least.