Over 20 Co Kildare based soldiers due to return from Syria this week are left stranded with depleting food supplies due to a paperwork error.
The Department of Defence is being slammed for a situation where 115 Irish soldiers are not returning to their families, until Tuesday, October 16. They were due to return yesterday, October 3.
Representing the Wives and Partners of the Defence Forces in the midlands, Sarah Walshe, said that there are 20 Co Kildare soldiers now among the 115 in the Golan Heights.
She says from speaking to one of the Curragh based soldiers, the Irish soldiers now stranded in the Golan Heights are running out of food and are being given supplies from the Fiji army.
Minister for Defence Paul Kehoe said: “Following receipt of all the required diplomatic clearances for the flight to rotate the Defence Forces contingent in UNDOF on Tuesday the 2nd of October, an issue arose unexpectedly in relation to the clearances on Monday morning. Every effort was made to address this by the Department of Defence and the Department of Foreign Affairs, but the issue could not be resolved within the time necessary to allow the rotation to be completed on schedule on Tuesday. As soon as this was known, the personnel and their families were contacted and advised of the issue and the postponement of the rotation.”
The Minister has been in direct contact with the honourary consul in Beirut, Georges Siam, in a bid to resolve the problem.
The Minister says allowances due to personnel while they are serving overseas will continue to be paid and their 30-day post deployment leave entitlements will only commence when they return.
Additionally, personnel delayed in returning home are to receive a €1,000 ex-gratia payment in recognition of the disruption caused to them and their families.
Minsiter Kehoe said: “I am acutely aware of the impact that this unfortunate delay of the UNDOF rotation is having on both the 119 personnel due to return home and those departing to service with UNDOF as well as their families.”
If you have a story or want to send photos or videos to us please contact the KildareNow editorial team. via our Facebook, via our email at content@kildarenow.com or on 045 409350 during office hours.