Bravery awards to be given to members of the defence forces today in special ceremony

Members of the defence forces will today be awarded for their bravery during a special ceremony.

Minister with Responsibility for Defence, Paul Kehoe will present a number of International Operational Service medals at the event in County Wexford.

The accolades are in recognition of their service in humanitarian missions overseas.

Minister Kehoe says its a great honour: "I am going to have the pleasure, and I am delighted to do so, in awarding the first medal for the defence forces which is called the International Operations Services medal.

"And this will be presented to the permanent members of the defence forces, particularly to members of the naval service who were aboard the L.E Eithne who rescued 3,377 migrants in her deployment in the Mediterrranean."