“I’m glad to be getting the opportunity”

Athlone native Cathal Higgins, who has served in the Defence Forces for four years having initially trained in Dublin, is excited for the mission in south Lebanon, which marks the first occasion that he will be deployed abroad.

Of the 362 men and women of Óglaigh na hÉireann who will serve in southern Lebanon over the course of the next number of weeks, there are 129 for which this is the first deployment abroad.

The 127th Infantry Battalion will deploy in three groups over the month of November as part of UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon).

"I was supposed to be deployed before to Syria, but it didn't work out, so this is my first trip abroad," Cathal said.

"I'm excited to go, I'm glad to be getting the opportunity."

The unit was formally activated on August 25, following completion of Phase 1 training. Further preparation included Phase 2 training, where personnel from across the Defence Forces reported to Custume Barracks in Athlone to begin administrative, logistical and tactical preparations, and Phase 3 training, in Coolmoney Camp, Glen of Imaal in Wicklow, on October 13 which ensured personnel were fully prepared to participate in the mission.

He said the training programme ahead of the deployment has been "rigorous". "You're prepared from your regular training, and then we went down to The Glen in Wicklow for our mission readiness exercise. That was rough, but you have your friends and your comrades there with you, and you get through it."

The mission will run for a duration of six months, meaning the troops will spend Christmas in Lebanon.

READ: Local man is lead officer for the deployment

"I love Christmas, and spending time with my family, but it comes with the job, you know you're going to be away some of the time," Cathal said.

"I look at it this way, I'll be abroad for one Christmas, and then I'll more than likely be home for the next two or three."

READ: Tánaiste and Minister for Defence reviews Lebanon-bound troops in Athlone