THE PAST TWELVE months have seen the Army called out to almost three bomb disposals a week.
So far in 2014, the Defence Forces’ bomb disposal teams have been called out to 141 incidents.
This has included 53 viable Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and seven to conduct post-blast analysis.
These figures were down from 250 overall call outs the year before – 80 of which were for viable IEDs.
A number of the call outs related to hazardous material and pyrotechnics – which usually relates to unstable chemicals in labs, schools and colleges – and conventional munition destruction, which is normally historical or legacy munitions found by people renovating houses or gardens.
Overseas
At the moment there are 430 Irish troops serving on peacekeeping missions in 16 countries internationally.
Countries which troops are serving in include Mali, Sierra Leone, the Ivory Coast, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo.
The largest delegation of troops is currently serving as part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) where 199 Irish personnel are serving. This is followed by the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force in the Golan Heights where 138 Irish troops are serving.
Other duties
As part of their duties, the Irish Defence Forces were required to carry out 1299 cash-in-transit escorts and 139 special category prisoner security escorts in the last 12 months.
Irish troops have also participated in over 30 ceremonial events over the past year.
These included an all female Guard of Honour of Army, Air Corps and Naval Service personnel to commemorate the centenary of the founding of Cumann na mBan; a joint Irish and British effort to celebrate the newly installed Cross of Sacrifice in Glasnevin Cemetery and events during the summer months to celebrate those who gave their lives during service to the State.
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