TAOISEACH ENDA KENNY met with Irish troops serving in south Lebanon and the Golan Heights earlier this week.
With an election just around the corner, the Fine Gael leader paid a well-timed visit to the region where Irish Defence Forces are serving as part of UN peacekeeping missions.
Accompanied by Defence Minister Simon Coveney and junior defence minister Paul Kehoe, Kenny met with troops from the Defence Forces’ 51st Infantry Group in south Lebanon on Monday.
There were a few high fives to be had with local children in the village of Tibnin:
He picked up a lovely bouquet:
Got a feed in the mess:
And promised Company Sergeant Paul O’Mara that he would deliver a present to his son, Private David O’Mara, who is serving in the Golan Heights:
Indeed Kenny’s next stop was the disputed region on Tuesday where he met with troops serving as part of the 50th Infantry Group.
It certainly wasn’t as relaxed as the Lebanon and so appropriate military uniform was required:
There was a briefing on the current situation in the area, which is claimed by both Israel and Syria:
But once inside the Irish camp, Kenny was able to relax and even throw the jacket off:
And most importantly, Kenny was able to save Christmas by delivering that present to Private O’Mara:
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