An Cosantóir

www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE | 9 BY COMDT FRANK HEARNS, RETD I n May 1978, the United Nations took over the security of South Lebanon by replacing the Lebanese Army. South Lebanon was in chaos following the first Israeli invasion and the Irish Government agreed to provide troops for duty with UNIFIL. And so it was in May that the advance party of the 43 Infan- try Battalion arrived in the village of Tibni, and set about establishing a base, which was named Camp Shamrock. The main party of the unit arrived in Tibnin on the 7th June. The unit settled in amazingly well and went about its peacekeeping du- ties. Along with its mostly operational tasks, the unit found time to provide humanitarian aid to the local population. Medical and dental treatments were high priority, closely followed by engineering, building repairs and the provision of clean water. But soon the plight of the children in the Tibnin Orphanage took centre stage. Providing those 60 young people with food, clothing and educational support became a responsibility, which was undertaken willingly. And thus began the long and successful relationship between the orphanage and successive Irish troops. The 43rd Battalion was scheduled to depart for home at the end of November 1978, a departure that was delayed by 24 hours. The Battalion Adjutant duly claimed the extra day's local per diem allowance of $1.50 for each of the 665 personnel and collected a cheque for almost $1,000. In the few hours remaining to us in Tibnin, there was absolutely no way the cheque could be cashed, the correct denominations acquired and the money distributed to the troops. So, following a hasty consultation with a cross-section of those involved, the decision was taken to present the money to Tibnin Orphanage. Courtesy of Fr. Ted Dunne, DSM, Chaplain to the 44th Infantry Battalion, the donation was given to the Orphanage for Christmas 1978. In January 1979, the writer received the accompanying photograph, with the following written on the back: Happy Christmas and Merry New Year 1979. For the 43rd Battalion! The orphans of Tibnin Tibnin December 25th 1979 Over the past 40 years, units of the Irish Defence Forces serv- ing in Tibnin, the Irish Government, the prisoners of Mountjoy Prison and the Irish United Nations Veterans Association have continued the tradition of supporting the Tibnin Orphanage. Long may this tradition continue - along with the wonderful friendships and respect shared between the people of South Lebanon and Irish Peacekeepers. 43 Inf Bn, the first unit to hold their medal parade on Tibnin Castle. Comdt Frank Hearns, Bn Adjt, 43rd Inf Bn with the OC Nepalese Contingent. The photograph of orphans, which was sent back in January 1979. Major General Michael Beary as UNIFIL's Head of Mission and Force Commander with visiting children from the Tibnin Orphanage in April 2017.

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