An Cosantóir April 2014 www.dfmagazine.ie
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by LT DONNACHA REILLY
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L
ast November 42 Infantry Group deployed to UNIFIL as part of 213 FinnIrish Battalion, which took over from
108 IrishFinn Battalion. The Irish contingent, commanded by Lt Col Ray Yorke, contributes 181 soldiers to the
combined unit. The 42 Inf Gp contribution comprises a complete mechanised infantry company under the
command of Comdt Niall O'Hara, a contingent support element of 47 personnel under the command of Comdt
Pete Barrett, and 26 personnel in Battalion HQ under the command of Comdt Caroline Burke. This latest com-
bined battalion continues a distinguished peacekeeping partnership between Finland and Ireland that was first
established in South Lebanon in 2006. Since then Finnish and Irish soldiers have served together on many occa-
sions including with EU Nordic battle groups, KFOR, MINURCAT, and UNIFIL.
The Force Comd Reserve visit to UNP 6-52, built new bridges with
French counterparts.
