Irish troops in Chad have been fired on during clashes between rebels and Government forces.
There are no Irish injuries and the situation around the Irish camp is described as calm but tense. A statement from the Defence Forces said it was not clear who was responsible.
The patrol briefly returned warning fire from their armoured vehicle and there were no casualties.
The clashes between the rebels and government troops took place near where the 400 Irish peacekeepers are stationed at Goz Beida, just after noon Irish time.
Additional Irish troops were deployed out of their base to increase their presence in protecting thousands of refugees and displaced persons.
Aid workers are being relocated to the Irish base if they want to. A planned visit to Chad by Minister Willie O'Dea and chief of staff Dermot Earley on Monday is going ahead.
