Missionaries salute our UN peacekeepers

THE visit of the Minister for Defence, Michael Smith, to the Irish troops serving with the UN peacekeeping mission in Liberia is a timely opportunity to reflect on the contribution the Irish army has made so far in Liberia.

Reports coming from our missionary personnel in Liberia are extremely positive.

Irish missionaries from the Society of African Missions have worked in Liberia for over 100 years. Our missionaries, together with many others from Ireland and elsewhere, stayed with the people right through the horrible 14-year civil war. They know the reality on the ground for the people better than most.

If their assessment of the contribution of the Irish army is positive, you can be sure it is an accurate assessment. Ireland can be proud of its traditional support for UN peacekeeping efforts in many parts of the globe.

The deployment to Liberia was an act of great courage. It was courageous of the Government to make this bold move in a situation that is still highly dangerous. It is doubly courageous of those soldiers who are serving there.

Our troops in Liberia are being used in a rapid response mode to enforce peace in very troubling parts of the country. Their success rate so far in this mission is highly impressive.

Our missionaries are most impressed by the level of professionalism and dignity being shown by our troops.

The people of Liberia and the people of Ireland are in their debt.

Rev Fachtna O’Driscoll, SMA,

Provincial Superior,

African Missions,

Blackrock Road,

Cork.