O'Dea praises troops' role in Kosovo

Irish troops in Kosovo fulfil a vital humanitarian role as well as peacekeeping duties, Defence Minister Willie O’Dea said tonight.

Addressing over 200 members of the 32nd Infantry Group in Pristina, Mr O’Dea praised their courage and commitment which he said won the pride and gratitude of Irish people.

“Ireland struggled for its own freedom and democracy and now we are helping other small nations to achieve the same.

“The humanitarian efforts carried out by Irish personnel single them out from soldiers of other nationalities that serve in the former Yugoslavia.” he said.

The minister told a dinner in his honour at Camp Clarke that the pride that Irish people had for UN peacekeepers was clear from the public reception received by the military parade in April to mark the 90th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising.

“The men of 1916 would be very proud of you today. You are all great ambassadors for the country,” he added.

Mr O’Dea then exchanged gifts with Lt Col Donal Bracken, who commands the 32nd Infantry Group.

The Limerick TD is on a two-day visit to Kosovo to view Irish peacekeeping operations and hold talks with UN military officers.

His visit coincided with the seventh anniversary of the arrival of UN troops into the region in 1999.