This article is from page 10 of the 2006-08-01 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 10 JPG
ELEVEN Clare soldiers continue to play an important role with the United Nations mission in Liberia.
The 11 are serving with the 95th Infantry Battalion’s Quick Reaction Force (QRF) in the United Nations mission in the African country.
The QRF is a rapid deployment armoured force, capable of being deployed as the situation demands. It is composed of 330 Irish and 230 Swedish personnel.
The 330-strong contingent is currently the largest deployment of Irish soldiers in a foreign country.
The battalion provides backup and assistance to other contingents when the operational situation demands it. Soldiers also undertake humanitarian missions deep in the Liberian interior.
The 11 Clare soldiers serving in Liberia are Pte Ross Tierney (Drumcliffe), Pte Michael Devine (Kilmihil), Pte Brian Bergin (Shannon), Pte Eamon Troy (Shannon), Pte Rachel O’ Hanlon (Parteen), Pte Roger Comte (Newmarket-on-Fergus), Pte Aidan Browne (Clarecastle), Sgt Seamus Coffey (Carrigaholt), Lt Ronan O’ Halloran (Clarecastle), Capt Gillian Collins (O’Briensbridge).
The Officer Commanding 95 Infantry Battalion is Lt. Colonel Michael McMahon, a native of Tulla. He commands the Quick Reaction Force of over 500 Irish and Swedish troops.