www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE
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KINSALE SOLDIER TAKES COMMAND
BY JJ HURLEY (PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED IN THE CARRIGDHOUN NEWSPAPER, CORK)
L
t Col Robert Hurley, from Kinsale, took command of 115 Inf Bn in
the third quarter of 2019, when the unit formed up in Stephens
Bks, Kilkenny. A member of 63 Cadet Class, he was commis-
sioned in 1988 and posted to 3 Inf Bn.
Throughout his career he has served in a wide variety of infantry
line, staff, and instructional appointments including: A/OC 4 Inf Bn; OC
1 Bde Arty Regt & Collins Bks, Cork; Comdt Instructor, Infantry School,
Military College; and staff officer, D Ops, J7 Branch, DFHQ.
Lt Col Hurley graduated from NUIG in 1992 with a BA degree and
completed a masters in Leadership, Management & Defence Studies
in Maynooth University in 2009. In addition, he is a graduate of the
Defence Forces Command & Staff School.
Lt Col Hurley has completed five tours of duty with UNIFIL in Leba-
non (74 Inf Bn, 79 Inf Bn, 105 Inf Bn, and 38 and 39 IrComps), as well as
serving in Bosnia with EUFOR and Côte d'Ivoire with ONUCI. He and
his wife, Alison, have two children, Matthew and Christian.
The Irish/Polish battalion that he is in command of comprises troops
from four countries: Ireland, Poland, Malta and Hungary. It is a mecha-
nised battalion with a strength of 600 personnel and will provide
robust patrolling support to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and
assistance to enhance the LAF's operational capability. IrishPolishbatt
will monitor the cessation of hostilities and provide a safe and secure
environment for the local population, from their primary headquar-
ters location in UN Post 2-45. In addition, IrishPolishbatt will occupy
and secure two platoon-size OPs along the Blue Line.
