Troops from Custume Barracks, Athlone and Columb Barracks. Mullingar are among over 400 troops preparing to be deployed to Chad.
The troops were in Galway yesterday (Thursday ) to be inspected by Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea, in advance of their departure to join the UN’s peacekeeping mission in the central African country.
The Minister, accompanied by Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Dermot Earley, reviewed the 420 members of the 100th Infantry Battalion in Eyre Square at noon yesterday.
The unit is due to leave for Chad this Thursday May 21 and on Thursday June 4, and will replace the 99 Infantry Battalion.
Humidity, heat of up to 57 degrees, monsoon rain, poor sanitation, camel spiders, and scorpions are just some of the natural battles the soldiers will have to contend with, in addiiton to the rebel faction which has been responsible for the huge number of deaths and displacement of the people of Chad.
The Irish troops are mandated to use force to protect thousands of refugees in their area and the aid workers who work with the refugees.
