Irish troops in Chad destroy 150 unexploded devices

Irish Army bomb disposal experts in Chad have destroyed more than 150 unexploded grenades, bombs, mines and other weapons since their deployment three months ago, the Defence Forces reported today.

The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team, which has been working in the south-east of Chad alongside the 97th Infantry Battalion, has decommissioned some 31 devices over the past three days alone. 

Defence Forces spokesman Commandant Gaving Young said that despite the operations, the local population is still suffering serious injuries as a result of the explosives and ammunition, which were discarded by government and rebel forces.

He said Irish officers, in cooperation with NGOs, have started an education programme to raise awareness of the danger.

"Some of this is paying dividends as locals do inform the battalion of the location of unexploded ordnance and the EOD team destroy them, hence our operations over the last number of days," Cmdt Young said.

Irish EOD teams have performed a similar function in Lebanon, Kosovo and Liberia.

The 400 Irish troops are part of the 3,700-strong EUfor mission in Chad that is tasked with shoring up security in the region. They are also offering protection to internally displaced people and refugees from the fighting in Darfur

The Irish troops are based in the Goz Beida region near the border with Darfur. They returned fire after being on by rebels during an attack on Goz Beida in June.