In a dramatic last-minute development, a contingent of 54 Irish peacekeepers, mostly Army Rangers, who were due to depart for Chad last night were diverted back to McKee Barracks while they were en route to Dublin airport.
The reason for the change was the closure of the airport in N'Djamena, capital of Chad, due to a threat from rebel forces.
The Rangers were to be the first contingent from a total of 450 Irish military personnel embarking on peacekeeping and refugee-protection duties in Chad, which is currently in the midst of a civil conflict.
Reports of an upsurge of rebel activity earlier in the day had raised doubts that the troops would depart last night as scheduled but a decision was initially taken to go ahead, based on reports that the security situation was under control. The troops had already left McKee for the airport for an 8pm departure when instructions came through at 6.30pm to return to barracks.
The orders came from the Paris operational headquarters of Eufor Chad/CAR, the European Union military mission to Chad and the Central African Republic, headed by Ireland's Lieut-Gen Pat Nash. Eight Irish soldiers are already in Chad as part of the local headquarters for the mission, which operates under a United Nations mandate.
An Army spokesman said last night: "The Defence Forces deployment to Chad, due tonight, has been delayed as of 6.30pm this evening. Troops for the initial entry force will not depart tonight as planned.
"The operational HQ in Paris has delayed the departure of all further EU forces as the airport has been closed due to the closeness of rebel troops to the capital, N'Djamena.
"Currently we have eight personnel in Chad, three as part of the force HQ and an advance party of five Rangers. They are safe and keeping Defence Forces HQ and Operational HQ in Paris updated. At present there is no threat to the security of these personnel and they are in regular contact.
"This situation will continue to be monitored closely. Obviously we will take whatever actions necessary to ensure safety of our personnel. Current tensions are a matter for the Chadian authorities. It does not fall within the remit of the UN-mandated mission which is focused on the protection of refugees and Internally Displaced Persons in Eastern Chad," he said.
Agency reports stated during the day that government troops in Chad were preparing to intercept a convoy of 300 rebel vehicles that was heading towards N'Djamena.
A cargo flight was also due to depart last night for N'Djamena from Dublin with 90 tonnes of equipment for the Irish troops.
