Ministerial Review of the 69th Infantry Group United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) prior to deployment to Lebanon
Media Invite - 2.00pm, Thursday 05th November 2026.
Minister for Defence, Ms Helen McEntee T.D., accompanied by Irish Defence Forces Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy, will review the men and women of the 69th Infantry Group (Inf Gp) prior to their departure for deployment to Lebanon as part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
The 69th Inf Gp will deploy to the UNIFIL area of operations with two hundred and ninety-four (294) personnel from the Irish Defence Forces. 69th Inf Gp will deploy to Lebanon rotating with and replacing the 128th Infantry Battalion.
The 69th Inf Gp will then commence operations as part of a multinational battalion, comprising of Irish, Polish and Hungarian personnel, collectively referred to as IRISHPOLBATT. IRISHPOLBATT will support UNIFIL’s mandates in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1701 (2006) and UNSCR 2749 (2024).
The 69th Inf Gp will be the final Irish contingent to deploy to UNIFIL, as the mission is due to conclude next year. They will begin the withdrawal from the mission in early 2027.
The Minister for Defence and Chief of Staff will conduct a doorstep interview directly after the ceremony. Members of the media are invited to attend and are kindly asked to arrive by 1.30pm.
The review will take place in Aiken Barracks, Dundalk at 2.00pm on Thursday 05th November 2026.
Outline of the Ceremony
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69th Inf Gp on parade – 1.40pm.
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Arrival of Minister for Defence – 2.00pm.
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National and Regimental Colours on parade – 2.02pm.
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Review by Minister for Defence – 2.05pm.
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Address by Minister for Defence – 2.15pm.
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March Past – 2.25pm.
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Parade concludes, reception in Catering Centre – 2.45pm.
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Doorstep with Minister for Defence and Chief of Staff - 2.45pm.
There will be excellent photographic opportunities throughout the review. Interviews with personnel and their families will take place after the parade concludes.
Should you wish to attend, please confirm the name of the journalist / photographer that will be attending before 8pm Wednesday 04th November to press@military.ie
Date/Time: Thursday 05th November 2026 (media should arrive by 1.30pm).
Location: Aiken Barracks, Dundalk
Please arrive to the Main Gate to meet the POC.
Point of Contact: Capt Paul Murphy 087-6738395
ENDS
Note to Editor: Attached briefing note on the 69th Infantry Group.