Ireland criticised for 'freeloading' on other states to evacuate citizens

A Hezbollah UAV was intercepted by Israeli air forces over North Israel on Sunday. Picture: Jalaa Marey/AFP

A former head of the elite army ranger wing has criticised the Government for "freeloading" on other states to evacuate Irish citizens and troops from Lebanon should a full-scale war break out in the region.

Independent TD Cathal Berry, who formerly commanded Ireland’s special forces, has blasted “no substance” statements from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Department of Defence on what they will do in the event of major conflict breaking out in the Middle East.

He said Ireland will face an embarrassing repeat of 2022 when foreign nationals were evacuated from the Afghan capital, Kabul, as the Taliban retook control of the country.

At the time, just 12 members of the army ranger wing were dispatched to help evacuate Irish citizens and they had to “hitch-hike home” thanks to the generosity of other countries.

“In terms of international evacuation operations, Ireland is like the guy who goes for a night out with his friends, takes whatever he can get for free, and never buys a round," Mr Berry said.

Don’t be like Ireland 

The State has only one military plane capable of airlifting a maximum of 20 people a time out of Lebanon, and they would have to be transferred to Cyprus where the British already have 1,000 troops, ships, and planes ready to evacuate their citizens.

Cathal Berry, who formerly commanded Ireland’s special forces, said that 'Ireland will play a peripheral role' in any evacuations. Picture: cathalberry.com

Hundreds more troops are on standby in Britain should they be needed to bolster this force.

Monitor the situation

The Department of Foreign Affairs recently said it cannot guarantee evacuating 100 Irish citizens still in Lebanon, while the Department of Defence said the Government will continue to monitor the situation closely "along with our partners in the UN and the wider international community".

“Once again, Ireland will play a peripheral role [in any evacuations] due primarily to chronic under-resourcing of our armed forces," Mr Berry added.

Instead of being in a position to contribute and add value, we are once again a drain and burden on our partners and friends

He said that while other militaries have already pre-positioned troops, diplomats, and equipment in Cyprus in expectation of the island being designated as an evacuation hub, no such staging of Irish personnel has taken place there.

“Once again, we will likely scramble for a solution at short notice and be utterly dependent on the kindness of our neighbours to evacuate our people.

"This approach adds further risk and complexity to what would already be a risky and complex operation,” Mr Berry said.