Defence Minister to inspect East Timor-bound troops

The Minister for Defence, Michael Smith, will later today review a platoon of Irish soldiers in Co Donegal before they leave to serve in East Timor.

The inspection in Ballyshannon will also be attended by the head of the Defence Forces, Lieut. Gen. Colm Mangan.

Soldiers from the 28th Battalion at Finner Camp will serve as part of an Irish peace-keeping contingent in the jungle, overseeing the transfer of troops from West Timor to East Timor.