Troops inspected ahead of deployment to Golan Heights

Ireland is preparing to send a further 130 troops to join the UN mission in Golan Heights next month.

Members of the 48th infantry group are being inspected this afternoon by Minister of State at the Department of Defence Paul Kehoe at Finner Camp in Ballyshannon in Co Donegal.

They will replace the 46th Infantry Group who deployed last September.

This latest battalion is drawn primarily from Ulster and Connacht.

One soldier with the bomb disposal team said once they get there, they will have to be more aware of their personal security.

"The level of threat would be substantially higher at times," he said. "Security is a much higher concern."

"When we're operating at home, An Garda Síochána would be responsible for security when we're tasked. Out there, our own infantry group personnel are responsible for our own safety."