Govt 'on verge of announcing troop deployment in Sri Lanka'

GOAL chief executive John O'Shea has claimed that the Irish Government is on the verge of announcing a troop deployment in Sri Lanka to help victims of the Asian tsunami disaster.

Mr O'Shea, who is in Sri Lanka with the Foreign Affairs Minister said: "Dermot Ahern, from what I can see, wants the Irish aid effort to be successful. He wants Irish aid money to reach those in greatest need.

"I would be very surprised if, before the day is out, he doesn't commit troops to Sri Lanka."