PICTURES: Irish troops and their families ready themselves for deployment to Lebanon

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The Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Micheál Martin conducted a review of the men and women of the 125th Infantry Battalion this Thursday, prior to their departure for a six-month deployment to Lebanon as part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

The 125th will deploy to the UNIFIL area of operations with 381 personnel; ten personnel from the Armed Forces of Malta and 371 Irish Defence Forces personnel, to replacing the 124th Infantry Battalion currently stationed at Camp Shamrock in South Lebanon.

Their deployment comes during one of the most precarious times in the region's history, which has seen heavy fighting between Israeli and Hezbollah forces.

Just this Wednesday, Camp Shamrock was struck by a Russian-made Katusha rocket fired at Israel by Hezbollah, however all Irish personnel are "safe and accounted" for at the base, according to the Defence Forces.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin addressed the 125th, the majority of whom are from Co Donegal, and their families and loved ones this Thursday, October 31, at Custume Barracks, Athlone.

"You will be the eyes and ears of the international community on the ground in the region," he told them.

"Your participation in UNIFIL illustrates the very positive and practical difference that small countries like Ireland can make in conflict zones."

"Even under restricted activities, as is occurring at the moment, our peacekeepers still play an important role in terms of monitoring and reporting".

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