The Minister for Defence, Mr. Willie O’Dea TD accompanied by the Deputy Chief of Staff (Support), Major General Dave Ashe, will review the 400 members of the 102 Infantry Battalion who are preparing for their deployment to the UN mission in Chad (MINURCAT) at Roden Place, Dundalk this Tuesday, 12 January 2010 at 3.00 pm.  The members of the Battalion are drawn mainly from the 2 Eastern Brigade Barracks’ in Dublin, Louth and Meath.

Commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Mick Murray the 102 Battalion deploys to Chad on 25 January and 08 February following months of preparatory training which concludes with the Ministerial Review.  The troops will be deployed for four months until June 2010.   For more info on our involvement in the MINURCAT mission see:

www.military.ie/overseas/ops/africa/chad/MINURCAT/index.htm

The Minister for Defence will arrive at the reviewing stand at

The photocall presents excellent photo opportunities.  Members of the media are invited to attend.

Timings:         Media should meet at 2.30 pm, Tuesday, 12 January 2010.

Location:       

Press Officer:  Captain Pat O’Connor          01 8042686 : 087 6738395

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