RIR soldiers to be sent to Afghanistan

Around 60 Royal Irish Regiment soldiers are to be sent to Afghanistan as part of military reinforcements tasked to the region.

The soldiers, who are all from the RIR's first battalion, are to travel to the Helmand province where they will serve with the Parachute Regiment, as part of the 16 Air Assault Brigade.

The reinforcement follows the deaths of six British soldiers in Afghanistan in recent weeks.

The first battalion RIR is considered one of the most experienced units in the Army and has already served in Kosovo, Iraq and Sierra Leone.

Commanding Officer Lt Col Michael McGovern today said that the men would be going into a dangerous situation, however added that he had no doubt that the soldiers were up to the challenge.

He said: "Their dedication to duty and professionalism I feel are second to none, and the fact that they have been chosen for this task is a measure of the high esteem in which they are held.

"The years of experience and the talents of every individual have made this unit what it is today; fit for purpose and ready for the job, and that job is to improve security and help the people of Afghanistan."

This latest deployment will bring the total number of Royal Irish Regiment soldiers serving in Afghanistan up to 100.

(EF/SP)