Irish troops have mixed feelings as they begin their deployment
IN TEMPERATURES nearing 50 degrees, Irish troops, lathered in sun screen, collect their rifles from wooden crates in Camp Europa in the Chadian capital of N'Djamena.
They have just arrived from Ireland for the first day of their four-month deployment as part of the European peace enforcement mission in the country they call "The Dead Heart of Africa".
Cool water is downed by the bottleful as the newly arrived 160 Irish troops struggle to acclimatise under the baking sun.
The atmosphere is jovial despite the undoubtedly difficult mission ahead of them in the volatile Chad-Darfur border region. They will get no leave during their tour, and alcohol is banned.
Sgt Louis Tormey (49), based in Longford, is beginning his 14th overseas mission. But Chad will be different because this time his son, Trooper James Tormey (22), is serving alongside him.
They have left their wife and mother, Marie, at home in Ireland alone to take up their duties at their base in Goz Beida, close to Darfur. "She's worried and upset of course, but she knows we wanted to get out here," says Sgt Tormey of his wife.
Pte Andrew Kelly (24), from Moate, Co Westmeath, but based in Athlone, is away for the first time. He says the intensity of the heat shocked him but he believes the dangers of the mission have been exaggerated by the media.
He has left his wife, Hazel, in Ireland with their two children, Ethan, aged three, and Megan, who is one today. "We threw a party before I went," he says. "It's hard being away."
Comdt Enda de Bruin (35), originally from Sligo but based in Galway, deployed to Chad in February. He is the National Support Element commander in N'Djamena, responsible for all supplies to the Irish troops. He missed the birth of his son, Mark, last month.
"I was at a conference in N'Djamena when a text came in from my wife saying 'Hey, daddy, how are you?' I got home for three days to see them. It was difficult coming back out. My daughter Emma Muireann is a daddy's girl and she didn't like me going. But I got to name the NSE camp after her, Camp Muireann."
Lieut James Sharkey (27) from Blackrock, Dublin, based in Cathal Brugha Barracks, Rathmines, is part of a reconnaissance troop. The 28 personnel will be sent into the bush in four Mowags to gather intelligence on militia elements ahead of the deployment of larger long-range patrols of up to 100 troops. He anticipates contact with rogue elements.
"If you decide armed militia are going to cause you problems you take steps to deal with that. I wouldn't be nervous but you'd certainly be apprehensive that you'll be able to put into practice everything you've learned in training."
Cpl Susan Connolly (32), from Stoneybatter, Dublin, is a dental nurse usually based in Bricin's Hospital off Infirmary Rd, Dublin. She met her partner, Sgt Phillip Green, when both were stationed in Liberia. They are now beginning a tour together in Chad.
"It's great to have Phillip out here. We were just saying that yesterday when everybody was saying goodbye to their partners in Dublin; it was hard for them."
Sgt Green says the fact his partner is with him in Chad is "a great support".
"When you're feeling down you can talk to your partner. It helps both of us. I'd be in a tent with all the lads and she's with the women. I wouldn't really get stick about her from the lads. Sure, you'd get stick from them anyway."