The woman, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said families of soldiers are “going through hell” worrying for their loved ones in the Middle East.
There is growing alarm for Irish peacekeepers amid a potential escalation of the Israeli ground incursion into southern Lebanon.
Since Monday, soldiers stationed at Camp Shamrock, the main Unifil post, have been in bunkers amid ongoing heavy rocket fire.
The mother of one soldier said she is “living minute to minute” over fears for her son’s safety.
“We are being told they are safe when we know they are not. It is a nightmare,” she said, and questioned whether families were being given the full story.
The woman has had limited contact with her son since last weekend.
‘What is making me mad is we are being told they are safe by the Government but they are not’
“They are having a dreadful time, generally, but he said they are keeping their spirits up as best they can,” she said.
“They must be terrified though and enduring horrendous conditions in the bunkers. I’m glad he is in there and it offers protection, but how long can it go on for? They can’t fulfil their mission. They can’t move outside the camp.”
She also questioned how the soldiers can be peacekeepers when war had already broken out.
“They are stuck in bunkers almost constantly. They can’t shower because they can’t take off their body armour and they can’t even lie down and get proper rest. Some of the soldiers out there are still teenagers and they find themselves in the middle of this,” she said.
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“What is making me mad is we are being told they are safe by the Government, but they are not. I’m barely getting one hour of sleep. You are watching the phone constantly. You send a text and you might get a reply after five or six hours. It is agonising.
‘All the mothers and wives I’ve spoken with are at their wits’ end’
“The bunkers are safe but they didn’t go out there to sit in bunkers fearing for their lives.
“At the moment he is holding up OK mentally, but I don’t know how much longer they can all cope with it.
“They are eating rations and washing with bottles of water. They can’t shave or change their clothes often. It’s horrible for them.
“All the mothers and wives I’ve spoken with are at their wits’ end. They don’t know if they will even get home next month.”
An army spokesperson yesterday thanked the families of Irish peacekeepers for their support.
“Defence Forces Headquarters remain in regular contact with our leadership on the ground, getting updates on the ongoing situation in our three mission areas – UNDOF, UNTSO and Unifil,” the spokesperson said.
“The safety and security of our personnel stationed in the region remains of paramount concern to the General Staff, and we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the families and friends of our personnel for their steadfast support throughout this deployment.
People inspect damage in the aftermath of Israeli strikes on the Mreijeh neighbourhood in Beirut’s southern suburbs. Photo: Reuters
“Unifil HQ has instructed all battalions to limit movements with the ongoing situation. Assessments on the supply corridor north of the Litani to Beirut were made at the beginning of the escalations and it was determined that the current environment is not conducive to the movement of large convoys.
“Personnel currently on leave rotation were instructed to hold their return travel to Lebanon and remain on standby until a secure window becomes available to return them to UNP 2-45 (Camp Shamrock). These plans are being reviewed on a daily basis.”
Yesterday, two groups of Irish citizens were assisted to leave Lebanon, the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed.
The 24 Irish citizens and dependants departed on flights operated by Ireland’s international partners and they are expected to arrive in Ireland over the weekend.
Tánaiste Micheál Martin said his department and the Irish embassy in Cairo have remained in regular contact with Irish citizens in Lebanon.
“We have worked closely with our EU and other partners to exchange information and co-ordinate our consular response to the situation in Lebanon,” Mr Martin said.
“This close co-operation meant that Irish citizens, along with others from a number of countries, were able to depart Lebanon today. This is an excellent example of the importance of international co-operation.”
Overnight on Thursday into yesterday Israel carried out a series of airstrikes in the southern suburbs of Beirut and another that cut off the main border crossing between Lebanon and Syria, a key route for tens of thousands of people fleeing Israeli bombardment.