Cutbacks hit army Christmas boxes

CHRISTMAS boxes which military families send to Irish soldiers serving abroad with the UN are the latest to come under threat from cutbacks.

The families of a Limerick battalion departing for Chad next week revealed yesterday they were told they will not be able to send presents overseas — due to budget constraints.

The issue came to light as a total of 408 Irish soldiers, members of the 101st Infantry Battalion participated in a march past in Limerick where Defence Minister Willie O’Dea took the revue stand.