Gaddafi was sympathetic to their cause and also wanted revenge for the US Air Force's bombing attacks on Tripoli and Benghazi in 1986.

[1][2][3] In late 1987 French authorities stopped a merchant vessel, the MV Eksund, which was delivering a 150-ton Libyan arms shipment to the IRA.

[8][9][10][11][12] In December 1989, future Ireland manager, Brian Kerr brought a joint St. Patrick's Athletic/Bohemians representative team, travelled to play Al-Ahly in the March 28 Stadium.

He also said that "Ireland would do all it could to help the reconstruction and redevelopment efforts in the country" and met with representatives of the rebel National Transitional Council and declared that they were the only authority in Libya.

The Irish company had signed a 9 month contract with Haftar and received €300 a day, in return they trained them in sniping, close-quarters combat, and also supplied them with helmets and body armour.