The Government is to protest to the United Nations over the mortar attack on Irish peacekeeping forces in southern Lebanon. Earlier today, the Israeli military have confirmed that its militia ally, the South Lebanon Army, fired the mortar shell that killed an Irish UNIFIL soldier and seriously injured another early this morning. The shell was fired during an exchange of fire between Israeli and SLA outposts near Baraashit and Lebanese guerrillas to the north. The Taoiseach has described the death as a human tragedy.
Private William Kedian, from Station Road, Ballyhaunis, County Mayo, and Private Ronald Rushe, from Castledaly, Boggadh, County Offaly, were manning the 85th Battalion's outpost when the shellfire attack occurred. Private Rushe has been removed to Rambam Hospital in Haifa in Israel where his condition has been described as 'critical but stable'. Both soldiers were stationed with the first Battalion at Renmore in Galway and were posted to Lebanon last month.
The nine-nation UNIFIL has lost 227 peacekeepers, including 41 Irish soldiers, since its deployment along the edge of the Israeli-occupied border zone in southern Lebanon in 1978.
