Irish Defence Forces personnel who have taken part in humanitarian operations abroad have been presented with a new medal.
Minister of State with special responsibility for Defence Paul Kehoe presented the new international operational service medals at a ceremony in Co Wexford.
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Troops who were deployed to counter the Ebola crisis in Sierra Leone and naval personnel who helped rescue over 3,000 people in the Mediterranean last year received the award.
Among those receiving medals today were 54 members of the permanent Defence Force who served on board the LÉ Eithne from May to July in 2015.
Also awarded the medal were five members of the Army personnel who served in Sierra Leone fight against Ebola.
Today's ceremony, which was held in Rosslare, is the first of a number of similar ceremonies which will be held around the country.
Awarding a new medal to members of @defenceforces for outstanding work in Mediterranean & Sierra Leone pic.twitter.com/7Fryp2zfDJ
— Paul Kehoe T.D (@campaign4kehoe) October 15, 2016
Congrats to members of #OglaighnahEireann who were presented with International Operational Service Medal by Minister of State today. pic.twitter.com/28Rj8sA6yx
— DF Chief of Staff (@DF_COS) October 15, 2016
