Defence Forces News
Defence Forces Congo Commemoration
Friday, 23 July 2010, 1pm.
An Taoiseach, Mr Brian Cowen TD and the Minister for Defence, Mr Tony Killeen TD, accompanied by the Defence Forces Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Sean McCann, will attend a Defence Forces commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the first deployment of Irish peacekeepers to the Congo today.
The event will take place in Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel at 12pm on Friday 23rd of July 2010.
The ceremony will include a memorial service which will be conducted by the Defence Forces Head Chaplain; the unveiling of a commemorative plaque by An Taoiseach; a parachute and equipment display by serving members of the Defence Forces and the launch of a commemorative Photo Book illustrating the Congo mission.
In excess of 1,000 Congo veterans and their families will attend the commemoration, which marks a signal event in the history of the Irish Defence Forces, Óglaigh na hÉireann.
The departure of the advance party of Ireland's first armed peacekeeping deployment with the United Nations (UN) took place on the 23rd of July 1960, following a decision by the Irish Government to send troops to the Congo as part of a UN force, ONUC (Operations des Nations Unies au Congo). The first contingent of troops departed Baldonnel on board US Air Force transport aircraft, bound for Goma in Kivu province in the Congo. Although unarmed observers had served with the UN since 1958, the deployment of the first armed peacekeepers to the Congo firmly embedded the tradition of overseas service in the culture of the Defence Forces – a tradition which continues to this day.
Between 1960 and 1964, a total of 6,191 Irish personnel served in the Congo in 12 units, with as many as 1395 Irish soldiers deployed in theatre at any one time. One Military Medal for Gallantry (MMG) and 65 Distinguished Service Medals (DSMs) were awarded to Irish servicemen during the four-year mission, which also saw 26 Irish soldiers making the ultimate sacrifice in the cause of peace.
Paying tribute to the veterans of the Congo mission, Defence Forces Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Sean McCann said:
“We are delighted to honour all those who served in the Congo with the Defence Forces on our first armed peacekeeping mission. Their sacrifice, courage and dedication began a long and proud tradition of commitment to the ideals of international peace and security which continues in the Defence Forces to this day. This anniversary acknowledges the enormous debt of gratitude we owe the true pioneers of Irish peacekeeping.”
Press Officer: Comdt. Neil Nolan 01 8042687 : 087 2482130
e-mail: Press Officer web: www.military.ie