Kilcullen soldiers in Middle East for Christmas

Three Kilcullen soldiers serving with The United Nations will be spending their Christmas in a buffer zone between Israel and Syria, writes Brian Byrne.

They are Capt Pat Tobin from Naas Road Kilcullen, Company Sgt Alex McDonald from Brannockstown, and Sgt Trevor Howard from Old Kilcullen.

They are part of a 130-strong contingent of Irish soldiers serving with the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), established in 1974 by UN Security Council resolution UNSCR 350.

The Irish troops form part of the peace keeping force tasked with supervising the 80km zone of separation between Israel and Syria in the aftermath of the 1973 Yom Kippur War. They are performing vital work in the area with full co-operation from both the Israeli and Syrian sides.

For Christmas the Irish soldiers, from mainly the eastern part of the country, are serving as part of the UNDOF mission and the town of Kilcullen is doing its part.

Pat, Alex, and Trevor would like to wish all their families and friends a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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