Brave Kilkenny troops don’t let rain ruin last parade ahead of Lebanon mission

DEFENCE Minister was in Kilkenny today to inspect local soldiers before they set off on a UN peacekeeping mission to Lebanon.

Minister Paul Kehoe, the Mayor of Kilkenny Martin Brett and family and friends of the troops, as well as Fionn the Irish Wolfhound – the 3rd Infantry’s mascot, were all present for the parade in James Stephen’s Barracks.

The Irish Defence Forces said: “The wet weather didn’t dampen the mood today at the Ministerial Review in Stephens Bks, Kilkenny for the 115 Inf Bn who will be deploying to South Lebanon with UNIFIL. 338 troops drawn from across the DF will deploy in next month.”

The 115th Infantry Battalion of the Irish Army heading to South Lebanon as part of the UNIFIL mission, are mainly drawn from the 3rd Infantry Battalion, who are based in the Kilkenny barracks.

Over 100 of the troops heading out to the mission in the Middle East, will be embarking on their first tour.