O’Dea to inspect troops ahead of Chad departure

Defence Minister Willie O'Dea is due in Galway today to inspect the next unit of Irish troops to join the UN's peacekeeping mission in Chad.

Some 420 Irish soldiers are set to travel to the troubled African state on May 21 and June 4.

For the first time, a female soldier - Commandant Maureen O'Brien - will be the deputy commander of an overseas unit.