Congo UN peacekeeper veterans honoured at special event in Finner Camp 

A very special commemorative event was held at Finner Camp recently to acknowledge United Nations peacekeepers who served in the Republic of Congo between 1960 and 1964.

The events and presentations of a Certificate of Appreciation marked the 60th anniversary of the termination of Operations des Nations Unies au Congo (ONUC) in the Republic of Congo in June 1964.

Part of the citation read: “The Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA) recognises with pride the services of . . . for service between 1960 and 1964 with the United Nations, during what was the first armed peace support mission undertaken by the Defence Forces.

“The courage, fortitude, soldierly conduct and sacrifices by personnel brought great credit to Ireland and the Defence Forces and contributed to the effective fulfilment of the United Nations Security Council Mandates.”  

The event was organised by Post 10 (South Donegal) of the IUNVA which covers Donegal Sligo and Leitrim.

Among those who paid tribute to the veterans on the day were Tanaiste Micheal Martin and the Chief of Staff, Seán Clancy, whose remarks were read out at the ceremony

The CoS comments were read out by Battalion Commander of the 28 Infantry Battalion, Lt Col Shane Rockett. 

The CoS said: “The example of our Congo veterans inspired us and for over 66 years, not a day has passed when an Irish soldier has not been on peacekeeping duty somewhere in the world. This participation in UN and UN-mandated peacekeeping missions remains a tangible demonstration of Ireland's commitment to the pursuit of international _peace.

“There is no doubt that ONUC was a sharp learning experience for the Defence Forces. The conduct of continuous anti-secession operations in Katanga, including Battalion and Brigade attacks, came at a high cost in human life, as the lines separating peacekeeping, peace enforcement and warfighting were often blurred. I thereby remember with honour our twentysix colleagues who gave their lives in the service of peace in the Congo. Names of the dead, including Company Sergeant Felix Grant, Colonel Justin McCarthy and Trooper Patrick Mullins must never be forgotten and memorial events such as this, organised by IUNVA, will ensure that they are not.

“By 1964 when Irish involvement in the Mission ceased, a total of 6,191 personnel: eight

Infantry Battalions, two Infantry Groups and two Armoured Car Squadrons had served with ONUC. Furthermore, the Defence Forces Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Sean MacEoin, was appointed as commander of the 20,000 strong force, becoming the first of many Irish officers to hold such an appointment. 

“The award of the first ever Military Medal for Gallantry as well as sixty-five Distinguished Service Medals to those who served with ONUC is testimony to your bravery and to the sacrifices you endured.

Tanaiste Micheál Martin comments were also read out by Chair of the local branch of the (Post 10) IUNVA, Joe O'Brien.

The Tanaiste said: “This mission was the very first time that Ireland deployed Defence Forces armed personnel to a United Nations peacekeeping operation overseas. As such, 27 July 1960, when the first element of the 32 Infantry Battalion left Baldonnel Airport, marked a watershed moment in the proud history of the Defence Forces. The first chalk of troops, including Battalion Commander Lt Col MJ Buckley and 60 members of the unit flew from Dublin, soon followed by the remainder of the 635-strong battalion. 

“You were trailblazers and the proud tradition of Ireland’s unbroken service on UN and UN-mandated missions since then, can be traced back to your participation in the Congo, and the example you showed which has inspired many others down through the years. 

“You will remember well that the mission proved to be difficult and traumatic. Service in any conflict zone never comes without a cost. That is why it is important that when honouring you who gave so much to the cause of peacekeeping, that we also remember and honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice. 

“I am thinking here in particular of the twenty-six Defence Forces personnel who gave their lives in the service of peace in the Congo. We especially remember Trooper Patrick Mullins, missing in action since 15 September 1961, and the nine comrades who were killed in the Niemba Ambush on 9 November 1960. Overall, a total of over 6,000 Irish personnel served in the Congo which saw the first ever Military Medal for Gallantry, as well as the award of 65 Distinguished Service Medals over the four years that Ireland participated. 

“ It is fitting that we remember all comrades who paid the ultimate price for their service in peacekeeping, most recently the tragic loss of Private Sean Rooney.”

Battalion Commander 28 Infantry Battalion, Lt Col Shane Rockett then presented the Certificates of Appreciation.  

Among the Congo honorees were 16 veterans in attendance and two who couldn't attend for medical reasons. They included James Gormley, Ballyshannon; Christopher McKeen, Ballyshannon; Eugene McGuinness, Donegal Town; Frank McBrearty Snr, Raphoe; Brendan O’Kane, Castlefin; Leo Boland, Mohill; Joseph Rooney, Boyle; Michael Dunne, Bundoran; James Donohoe, Ballinamore, Co Leitrim; John McEvoy, Donegal; John Stanford, Sligo Town; Vincent Blighe, Drumcliffe Co Sligo; Thomas Cassidy, Bundoran; Joseph Ganley, Carrick on Shannon, Leitrim: John Brennan, Carrick on Shannon, Co Leitrim; Michael Chapman, Boyle Co Roscommon; Michael McDermott Loughlynn, Co Roscommon and James Taheny, Keadue Co Roscommon.