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07/10/2011
Alert Fails To Halt Combat Soldiers' Welcome
Military personnel from the 1st Battalion Irish Guards and 1st Battalion Royal Irish Regiment are in Northern Ireland for a number of key events this weekend with a parade and display taking place this afternoon.
Despite a bomb alert near the King's Hall venue earlier, the event to honour troops who have returned from Afghanistan is running on schedule.
Earlier, some roads were closed due to the alert in the grounds of a bar on the Lisburn Road - but are open again after Army bomb experts dealt with a suspicious package.
At 3pm, hundreds of soldiers from the Irish Guards and Royal Irish Regiment paraded in front of a ticket-only audience during the event which included a Military Review and Drumhead Service - all hosted by Belfast City Council.
The Council is hosting the event in recognition of the service of the Irish Guards and the Royal Irish Regiment in Afghanistan with around 300 military personnel participating in the Review with some 3,500 members of the public attending.
The event will also include the presentation of commemorative medallions to military personnel by Belfast's Deputy Lord Mayor, Alderman Ruth Patterson - herself a former UDR soldier.
A musical programme and exhibition of armoured vehicles also ran from 2pm at designated areas within the grounds.
Additionally, the Irish Guards will be taking part in a Church Service, Parade and Civic Reception hosted by Ards Borough Council as well as a Parade and Civic Reception hosted by Castlereagh Borough Council - on Saturday and Sunday respectively.
Elements of The Irish Guards will also be visiting a number of other locations across NI during their visit.
Sadness
As well as being a celebration, it is also a remembrance as while more than 1,500 members of the Royal Irish Regiment returned from a tour of Afghanistan in April, three soldiers from the 1st Battalionmwere killed during the operation, which began last September.
Ranger Aaron McCormick, 22, from Macosquin in County Londonderry was killed by an improvised explosive device (IED) in November last year.
Ranger David Dalzell, 20, from Bangor was shot in February. The exact circumstances of his death have not yet been confirmed.
Lance Corporal Stephen McKee, 27, from Banbridge, was killed by an IED in March.
(BMcC/GK)
Despite a bomb alert near the King's Hall venue earlier, the event to honour troops who have returned from Afghanistan is running on schedule.
Earlier, some roads were closed due to the alert in the grounds of a bar on the Lisburn Road - but are open again after Army bomb experts dealt with a suspicious package.
At 3pm, hundreds of soldiers from the Irish Guards and Royal Irish Regiment paraded in front of a ticket-only audience during the event which included a Military Review and Drumhead Service - all hosted by Belfast City Council.
The Council is hosting the event in recognition of the service of the Irish Guards and the Royal Irish Regiment in Afghanistan with around 300 military personnel participating in the Review with some 3,500 members of the public attending.
The event will also include the presentation of commemorative medallions to military personnel by Belfast's Deputy Lord Mayor, Alderman Ruth Patterson - herself a former UDR soldier.
A musical programme and exhibition of armoured vehicles also ran from 2pm at designated areas within the grounds.
Additionally, the Irish Guards will be taking part in a Church Service, Parade and Civic Reception hosted by Ards Borough Council as well as a Parade and Civic Reception hosted by Castlereagh Borough Council - on Saturday and Sunday respectively.
Elements of The Irish Guards will also be visiting a number of other locations across NI during their visit.
Sadness
As well as being a celebration, it is also a remembrance as while more than 1,500 members of the Royal Irish Regiment returned from a tour of Afghanistan in April, three soldiers from the 1st Battalionmwere killed during the operation, which began last September.
Ranger Aaron McCormick, 22, from Macosquin in County Londonderry was killed by an improvised explosive device (IED) in November last year.
Ranger David Dalzell, 20, from Bangor was shot in February. The exact circumstances of his death have not yet been confirmed.
Lance Corporal Stephen McKee, 27, from Banbridge, was killed by an IED in March.
(BMcC/GK)
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15 September 2011
Change Of Location For Troops Homecoming Parade
The Irish Guards and Royal Irish Regiment are to take part in a homecoming ceremony at the Royal Ulster Agricultural Showgrounds in October. The Ministry of Defence turned down an initial offer from Belfast City Council for parade through the city, citing "post-operational duties.
Change Of Location For Troops Homecoming Parade
The Irish Guards and Royal Irish Regiment are to take part in a homecoming ceremony at the Royal Ulster Agricultural Showgrounds in October. The Ministry of Defence turned down an initial offer from Belfast City Council for parade through the city, citing "post-operational duties.
10 October 2011
Robinson Welcomes Homecoming Troops
There have been double celebrations over the weekend as hundreds lined the streets to honour soldiers who have just returned from a difficult tour of duty in Afghanistan.
Robinson Welcomes Homecoming Troops
There have been double celebrations over the weekend as hundreds lined the streets to honour soldiers who have just returned from a difficult tour of duty in Afghanistan.
30 September 2011
RIR And Irish Guards Win Gallantry Awards
Soldiers on route to Northern Ireland for a series of public engagements this week are among the 25 men from the Irish Guards and Royal Irish Regiment who have just been awarded honours for bravery.
RIR And Irish Guards Win Gallantry Awards
Soldiers on route to Northern Ireland for a series of public engagements this week are among the 25 men from the Irish Guards and Royal Irish Regiment who have just been awarded honours for bravery.
18 November 2010
Guardsman Killed In Afghanistan Named
The Stormont First Minister Peter Robinson has expressed his sympathy to the family of a soldier from the 1st Battalion Irish Guards who has been killed in Afghanistan.
Guardsman Killed In Afghanistan Named
The Stormont First Minister Peter Robinson has expressed his sympathy to the family of a soldier from the 1st Battalion Irish Guards who has been killed in Afghanistan.
24 July 2008
Soldier Dies In Further Afghan Carnage
Days after Royal Irish Regiment soldiers were injured in an explosion in Afghanistan, a colleague has been killed in a further deadly bomb attack. The soldier who died was a member of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), on attachment to the Parachute Regiment.
Soldier Dies In Further Afghan Carnage
Days after Royal Irish Regiment soldiers were injured in an explosion in Afghanistan, a colleague has been killed in a further deadly bomb attack. The soldier who died was a member of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), on attachment to the Parachute Regiment.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
