The 127th Infantry Battalion, this week, are completing their last stage of training in preparation for deployment to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
This final phase is known as the Mission Readiness Exercise (MRE) and is held in the Glen of Imaal, Co Wicklow, where personnel of the unit conduct several different serials such as live firing, battlefield inoculation, casualty evacuations, ambushes, patrolling and more to ensure they are prepared for the challenges that will face them on deployment.
The 127th Infantry Battalion is deploying with three hundred and fifty (350) personnel, of which three hundred and forty-one (341) are drawn from the Irish Defence Forces and nine (9) from the Armed Forces of Malta. Personnel range in experience from those on their first deployment, to seasoned Non-Commissioned Officers and Commissioned Officers. They will deploy in November and take over duties from the 126th Infantry Battalion who were deployed in May, 2025. The personnel of the 127th Infantry Battalion are primarily drawn from the 2 Brigade are of responsibility with the lead unit being Athlone's Custume Barracks (6th Infantry Battalion).
The Mission Readiness Exercise is designed to test Officers, NCOs and Privates in several demanding scenarios that represent the realities of the current situation in the Middle East and Southern Lebanon, which remains a volatile mission area. For the Media Day, personnel will conduct Counter Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) serial where a vehicle on patrol will simulate being struck by an IED and the reactions by the other vehicles in the convoy to recover the vehicle and render medical aid to the casualties inside. This serial is particularly relevant given the presence of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) in the Area of Responsibility for the 127th Infantry Battalion in Southern Lebanon.
The exercise will provide excellent photographic opportunities and will include time to interview members of the contingent. Members of the media are invited to attend.
MEDIA WISHING TO ATTEND PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR NAME AND CONTACT DETAILS TO PRESS@MILITARY.IE BY 1800hrs ON TUESDAY 21st October 2025. (If possible, please indicate which of the interviewees, below, you wish to interview in your RSVP.)
Date/Time: 1230hrs - 1530hrs Wednesday 22nd October 2025
Location: Coolmoney Camp, Glen of Imaal, Co Wicklow (off the N81, Glen of Imaal/Coolmoney Camp is signposted. The camp itself is on Google Maps).
Point Of Contact: Captain Paul Murphy +353 87 6738 395
List of Confirmed Interviewees (more interviewees available on the day):
Lt Col Mark Lennon - OC 127 Inf Bn.
Sgt Maj John Kennedy - BSM 127 Inf Bn.
Battalion Quartermaster Paula Quinn - BQ 127 Inf Bn.
Capt Ciara Carroll – S9 CIMIC.
Cpl Ryan O’Connell – Sec Comd No. 3 Sec – No. 1 Pl (Father is also 127 Inf Bn – CQMS S4).
Pte Emma Stynes – Pte Rfmn No. 3 Sec – No. 1 Pl (First tour overseas).
Cpl Adam Delaney, 6 INF BN, and Pte Scott Delaney, 2 Bde TPT, first tour together from Offaly (Brothers).
Pte Kyle Hynes, A Coy, is the youngest member of the Battalion at 19 years of age.
CQMS Martin O’Connell, Bn HQ S4, is the oldest member of the contingent travelling at 57 years old.
