MORE than €130,000 has been spent flying injured troops and soldiers unfit for combat back from their tours of duty in Chad.

A total of 55 soldiers – of all ranks – have been repatriated from Africa, from what has been described as Ireland's most difficult ever mission overseas.

Of those, 19 of the troops were flown back to Ireland for medical reasons, when it was decided that proper care could not be provided in Chad.

Another 36 soldiers were repatriated for what were described as "compassionate reasons", usually a family bereavement or illness.

One soldier said: "There is no doubt that it has been the hardest overseas mission ever undertaken by the Irish Defence Forces and that is reflected in the number of people who have had to go home."

Stringent criteria were in place before troops were even considered for service in Chad because of the basic living conditions and prevalence of disease.

Commandant Neil Nolan, a Defence Forces spokesman, said: "[We] have a duty of care towards our personnel, and repatriations from overseas missions are sometimes necessary.

"The reasons for such repatriations are primarily medical or compassionate in nature. Medical grounds for repatriation include serious injury or illness; and compassionate grounds would include the death or serious illness of a close family relative."

Those repatriated had suffered a variety of injuries and illnesses. One had an infection, which could not be treated properly in Chad while another suffered severe health difficulties from the at times 50ºC-plus heat in the desert.

Lung conditions have also been described as a problem on the mission due to sandstorms and the incredible heat endured at the base.

More routine injuries, like breaks and sprains, are generally being dealt with at the base unless it is deemed the soldier can not return to duty.

In excess of 2,500 individual tours of duty have taken place to Chad with the bulk of Irish troops expected back in Ireland by the end of May as the mission is wound down.