Hundreds of veterans who served as part of the Defence Forces’ first major overseas peace-keeping mission in the Congo 50 years ago were honoured at a ceremony at Baldonnel today.
The four-year peacekeeping mission, which lasted from 1960 to 1964, involved a total of more than 6,000 Army personnel. A total of 26 men lost their lives.
The mission marked the beginning of a half a century of Irish service on UN missions which continues today.
Speaking at the commemoration today, Taoiseach Brian Cowen said the involvement of the Defence Forces in the Congo represented a “new departure” both for our armed forces and for the country and helped set the standard for future missions.
“Poised as we are now, with over 50 years of Irish troop participation in Peacekeeping involvement around the world, I would like to salute you. Be in no doubt that you have left the State with a significant legacy. We are all hugely proud of you,” Mr Cowen said.
He said this first major mission was highly significant as it demonstrated that Ireland, though small and still a young state, was willing to play its part on the world stage.
“As part of Ireland’s foreign policy we will continue to support the European Union in responding to the challenges of an increasingly more globalised world and in supporting the UN,” Mr Cowen added.
One of the many veterans at the commemoration was Patrick Clancy, 70, from Youghal, Co Cork, who served as a corporal in the first battalion of troops to depart from Baldonnel 50 years ago today.
“This ceremony means an awful lot,” he said.
“I’m seeing people today I haven’t seen in decades. We all share a very deep bond of friendship.”
Another veteran, Sean Maher, 71, said that while the mission had its difficulties - such as lack of tropical uniforms, military equipment and interpreters - the Defence Forces has developed significantly since.
“We were all young and inexperienced. It was our first combat experience and we all learned a lot,” he said.
The men killed in the Congo were remembered during a prayer ceremony, with 26 lighted candles symbolising those who lost their lives in ambushes, peace-enforcement activities and accidents while on service in Africa.
One of those lucky to survive the mission was Joe Fitzpatrick, 70, from Cabra in Dublin. He was one of just two survivors from the infamous Niemba massacre in which nine Irish troops lost their lives.
“We left from this aerodrome as boys 50 years ago, but we returned as men,” he said, wearing a commemorative medallion he received from the Defence Forces in recent years. “For many of us, it was a big adventure, heading off to a foreign country.”
Minister for Defence Tony Killeen, also speaking at the event, said he was confident that the Defence Forces will have troops deployed on a UN mission in the not too distant future.
A spokeswoman for the Minister said there has been no formal request for Irish troops for a mission at this stage.
