Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 December 2020
311. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Defence the number of fatalities suffered by the Defence Forces on duty with UNIFIL; and the identity of the cause of death by military grouping including Israeli forces and Hezbollah, in tabular form. [43432/20]
View answerA total of forty six Irish personnel have died while on service in UNIFIL since the initial deployment to Lebanon in 1978.
There were a number of causes of death. Some were killed while on duty, others died as a result of being involved in traffic accidents or other accidents, some died due to natural causes and one person is missing presumed dead.
Information in relation to the military force or grouping who may have been responsible for Defence Forces fatalities overseas is not released for operational reasons.
In total, 87 personnel have lost their lives while on peacekeeping duty overseas in various missions. These individuals paid the ultimate price in support of peace. As Minister for Defence, I can assure you that all are remembered with respect and honour by my Department and the Defence Forces.
