Tuesday 18th September, 2018 9am - Ministerial Review of the Syria Bound 58th Infantry Group
The Minister with Responsibility for Defence, Mr. Paul Kehoe, T.D., accompanied by the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Vice Admiral Mark Mellett DSM, will review the men and women of the 58th Infantry Group ahead of their six month deployment to Syria as part of United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF).
The deployment of the 58th Infantry Group will see 130 Irish troops deploy to Syria in September 2018.
The 58th Infantry Group will be the first Irish unit to deploy directly to Syria since the UN evacuated personnel from the area in 2014. The Irish Troops will constitute a Quick Reaction Force, a small, highly mobile and flexible force, which can respond to any request made by the Force Commander within 15 minutes. The requests can range from evacuation of UN personnel from UN positions for various emergency reasons to routine patrols.
The personnel of the unit have a range of experience, from those on their first deployment, to highly experienced senior Non Commissioned Officers (NCOs) and Officers who have the experience of multiple tours of duty.
Once deployed, the 58th Infantry Group will work alongside soldiers from the Indian, Fijian and Nepalese armies.
The personnel travelling with the 58th Infantry Group represent a number of counties across Ireland with the main contributing unit being the 7th Infantry Group which is based in Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin (100 personnel). Other personnel come from Northern Ireland, Dundalk, Cork, Athlone, Meath, Wicklow and Kildare.
The unit will form up in Cathal Brugha Barracks, Rathmines, Dublin, at 10.30am. This will be followed by a parading of the Unit Colours (flag), the Minister's address and a ceremonial 'March Past' at 11.00am.
Press Release Date: 18th September, 2018
For Further Information contact:
Press Officer: Comdt. Pat O'Connor
Tel: 045 49 2502 , 045 49 2503
Mobile : 087 2482130
E-mail: Press Officer
