Cork’s Holly Bough heads to Chad - Statement by Minister Micheál Martin

Cork’s traditional Festive publication, the Holly Bough, is on its way to Chad where more than 130 peacekeepers from the City and County are serving, according to Foreign Affairs Minister, Micheál Martin.

“The Holly Bough is very much part of the Cork Christmas tradition and this small gesture is to try and bring some festivity to our peacekeepers who are serving with honour in Chad.”

“Copies of the Holly Bough have arrived at the Curragh Army Base where they are being packed for the next shipment of supplies to Camp Ciara in Chad. They will be flown to Chad and then taken on an overland journey of four days in 40 degree heat to the Irish base.”

“The shipment will also for the first time include Christmas boxes from families in Cork for our troops. The packages, about the size of shoe boxes, are to bring a touch of home to men and women far away from their loved ones. Previously such shipments were not possible because of difficulties on the ground.”

“As Minister for Foreign Affairs I have been honoured to witness at first hand the work undertaken by our troops to protect innocent lives abroad. Whenever possible the Government works to repay their efforts by ensuring contact with families at home”, concluded Minister Martin.