Troops prepare to train with EU battle group

TONNES of military equipment was shipped out of Cork last night for a major EU battle group military exercise in Sweden next week involving Irish Defence forces.

A total of 32 vehicles, including 18 MOWAG armoured personnel carriers, light tactical armoured vehicles, supporting container trucks, light patrol vehicles, and up to 11 sea containers, were loaded on board the MV Nemel at Ringaskiddy for the five-day voyage to Sweden.

Some 140 Defence Forces personnel, drawn mainly from Collins Barracks in Cork and under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Brendan O’Shea, are due to fly out from Cork Airport next week to begin the Peace Support Operations in south-central Sweden from October 15 to 19.