Deployed troops send Valentine's wishes to their loved ones in Cork

If you’re treating your beloved to flowers or chocolates today, spare a thought for Ireland’s peacekeepers, posted far from their loved ones.

There are currently 430 Irish Defence Forces members serving overseas, working across a dozen different missions around the world.

There are currently 366 Irish Unifil (United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon) peacekeepers stationed in Camp Shamrock in South Lebanon.

This week, three of them asked The Echo to convey their heartfelt wishes to their loved ones at home in Cork.

Commandant Kevin Kenny, from Castlelyons, is camp commandant at Camp Shamrock, and he sent his love home to the banks of the Bride, adding that he and his fiancée Pippa face the challenge of trying to match up their time zones to FaceTime a Valentine’s dinner.

“I couldn’t have a Valentine’s Day message without mentioning the two princesses Siobheál and Sadhbh,” he added, “and also a happy birthday to my father Paddy, whose birthday is on Valentine’s Day, much to my mother’s annoyance.”

Signalman Denver Murphy, from Knocknaheeny, said: “Happy Valentine’s Day to my beautiful wife Georgina. Love you and miss you loads,” he said.

Corporal Ashley Walsh, from Cloyne, Co Cork, sent Valentine wishes and love to “my beautiful wife Aoife”.

“Missing you and Bonnie loads, and thinking of you every day,” 

he said.

“Can’t wait to be home from Lebanon next week and spend some proper time together.”

A thought doubtless echoed by his many colleagues who are missing their loved ones while far from home in the service of their country.