There was no Irish military involvement in the incident referred to by the Deputy.
The strength of the Defence Forces assigned to Border duty is constantly reviewed so as to ensure that they can fully discharge their operational commitments pursuant to their role of providing aid to the civil power.
Three infantry battalions, a cavalry squadron and other supporting elements are permanently located close to the Border. Border units are based at ten military posts as follows:
27 Infantry Battalion
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Gormanstown Camp Aiken Barracks, Dundalk Military Post, Castleblayney
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29 Infantry Battalion
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Military Barracks, Monaghan Military Barracks, Cavan
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4 Cavalry Squadron
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Connolly Barracks, Longford Military Post, Ballyconnell
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28 Infantry Battalion
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Finner Camp Military Post, Lifford Rockhill House, Letterkenny
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In addition there are five permanent Army/Garda checkpoints at various positions along the Border.
Personnel from the military posts assist the Garda Síochána in patrolling the road network around the Border several times every 24 hours. The patrols are equipped with radio and can be diverted quickly to the scene of a Border incident. In addition stand-to parties are kept in readiness in each post at all times. These are available to respond to requests for aid by the gardaí and can be on their way to the scene of an incident without delay.
During 1991 military parties in the Border area were sent on about 11,000 patrols, established 12,000 checkpoints and assisted in carrying out over 220 searches.
Air Corps helicopters are specifically allocated for Border operations and fixed wing reconnaissance aircraft are located in Gormanstown in support of operations in the Border area.
Bomb disposal and specialised search teams are also stationed on the Border where they can provide a quick response in connection with bomb threats or the need for systematic searching of specific locations.