Taoiseach Simon Harris on Monday warned Irish citizens against travelling to Israel, Palestine, and Lebanon in view of “growing instability” in the region. “Our travel advice for Israel has changed due to growing instability in the region. The government is now advising Irish citizens do not travel to Israel. The same advice applies to Lebanon … Read more
The Irish Defence Forces are prepared to evacuate up to 40 Irish citizens from Lebanon if the situation there escalates. This operation would utilize the newly acquired Airbus C295 maritime surveillance planes, which have recently joined the Defence Forces’ fleet. The C295 planes, despite their limited range, are ready for the mission but would require … Read more
The Department of Foreign Affairs has stated that evacuating Irish citizens from Lebanon would be a “complex and difficult operation.” This comes amid concerns over the potential worsening of the security situation in the Middle Eastern country. Officials have emphasized that significant contingency planning has been carried out to prepare for any possible escalation. The … Read more
An Irish soldier on a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon has been shot and killed and a second is in critical condition after a “hostile” crowd surrounded their armoured vehicle, Ireland’s defence minister has said. The soldiers, part of the UN Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL), were on what Simon Coveney, who is also … Read more
The Taoiseach Micheál Martin travelled to Lebanon to visit members of the Irish Defence Forces. On Sunday Micheál Martin laid a wreath in the southern Lebanese town of Tibnine in memory of the 47 members of the Defence Forces who have lost their lives serving in the country. Speaking to reporters following the ceremony, Martin … Read more
The Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Patrick O’Donovan, conducted the formal review of the Defence Forces contingent comprising the 120th Infantry Group who will leave in the coming weeks for service with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The … Read more