Dublin streets close today for military parade

A military parade will take place in the centre of Dublin today to mark the end of 23 years of service of Irish peacekeeping in the Lebanon.

More than 1600 members of the defence forces will march from Westmoreland Street to the GPO.

The centre of the capital will be closed from 12pm for the parade which is the largest in the country since the 1970’s.

Among the 1,600 troops that will take part in the parade are the 89th Infantry Battalion who were the last unit to serve in the Lebanon and the 209 personnel due to depart for duties in Ethiopia and Eritrea later this month.

Commander-in-chief of the defence forces President Mary Mc Aleese who will review the parade from the GPO has said that she believes it is important to give thanks to the men and women who served in the Lebanon.

President McAleese said: "It is an important time to honour our troops and to tell those who gave service that we are so proud of them and to thank them for a job well done.

"They can be so proud of the part they have played defending peace in the world in Irelands' name."

An interdenominational service will take place in the Garden of Remembrance, where wreaths will be laid to commemorate the 47 men who died in Lebanon.