Irish troops ‘won’t face chemical war’

Defence Minister Alan Shatter has ruled out the possibility of Irish peacekeepers being targeted in a chemical attack during their mission to the Golan Heights.

As 115 troops prepare for deployment to the Syrian border despite the civil war and threat of a missile strike from the US, Mr Shatter said he was confident they would safely complete their tour.

He said a potential chemical attack on the troops was not something he has contemplated, but insisted their safety was a primary concern.

“As in every mission, there will be continuous assessment,” he said. “We know we’re in a very volatile region. We’re in a country with enormous difficulties.

“We are obviously very conscious of the volatility in the area and the region.”

He insisted the men and women of the 43rd Infantry group had undergone rigorous training and would have the best kit and protection available to them.

Mr Shatter reviewed the troops at Cathal Brugha barracks in Dublin ahead of their gradual deployment to the Golan Heights throughout September.

He confirmed Defence Forces chief of staff Major General Conor O’Boyle had assured him that the soldiers had undergone rigorous training and that extensive risk assessment had been carried out.

There have been international calls for US military action on President Bashar al-Assad’s regime following the use of chemical weapons in Damascus last month.

Mr Shatter said such an attack involving the 43rd Infantry is not expected. “I’m not anticipating that that will happen,” he said.

“We know a dreadful atrocity was committed in Syria. Different numbers are being given as to the number of people who died. It’s quite clear that hundreds of men, women, and children have died in a chemical attack.”

He insisted the Irish troops’ role will be purely observational and that they will have no involvement in the civil war.

Commanding officer of the 43rd Infantry Lieutenant Colonel Brendan Delaney confirmed his troops would be evacuated from the Golan Heights region in the event of a chemical attack.

Lt Col Delaney, a father of three who has served the Defence Forces for 33 years, said an arrangement was in place with the Israeli government to allow troops across the border.

“We don’t intend working in a chemical environment,” he said. “If the safety of the troops is compromised, we evacuate.”