merrion street

On 13 June 2016 the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Mr. Charles Flanagan, T.D., accompanied by the Irish Ambassador to Israel, Alison Kelly, visited Irish Defence Forces troops of the 52nd Infantry Group serving with the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF)on the Golan Heights. The Minister was greeted by the Commanding Officer of the Infantry Group, Lt Col Mark Hearns and then reviewed a Lieutenant’s Guard of Honour, commanded by Lt Hugh Forde. The Minister was formally welcomed to UNDOF HQ during an office call Chief of Staff of the Mission, Colonel Jone K. Logavatu. 

The office call was followed by extensive briefings by 52 Infantry group on the operational situation in the Mission and the unit then provided a capability display during which the Minister met with the Irish Infantry, Cavalry, Artillery, Engineer, Bomb Disposal and Medical teams deployed in the mission area. Addressing the Infantry Group the Minister stated "The Defence Forces is making a vital contribution to stability in the region, bring experience and expertise". The visit concluded with a ground orientation brief of the Northern and Central Area of Separation by Lieutenant Sinead Hunt where the Minister was able to observe some of the towns and villages that have been impacted by the Syrian Civil war.