No. 6, July/August
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00-An Cos-july-aug-10 (p1-5 EDITORIAL) 12/07/2010 10:58 Page 3 VOLUME 70 Number 6 July-August 2010 11 18 20 23 28 34 FEATURES 11 Lt Gen Dermot Earley DSM An Eulogy 13 Congo Vets Remember By Wesley Bourke 20 Advance and Overcome By Wesley Bourke 23 The Minister for Defence Interviewed by Wesley Bourke REGULARS 6 On Parade 10 World Strategic Picture 18 Def Tech 25 Tac Aide 26 Overseas 28 Sport 31 Gadgets 32 Noticeboard 33 Reviews 13 34 What I do… AN COSANTÓIR July-August 2010 3 00-An Cos-july-aug-10 (p1-5 EDITORIAL) 12/07/2010 10:58 Page 4 00-An Cos-july-aug-10 (p1-5 EDITORIAL) 14/07/2010 13:16 Page 5 An Cosantóir VOLUME 70 editorial Number 6 July-August 2010 MANAGER: n this issue, our lead article is the printed version of the eulogy given by the Chief of Staff Lt Gen Sean Capt Rory Esler McCann at the Requiem Mass to the late Lt Gen Dermot Earley DSM, who died on June 23rd. It is a [email protected] fitting tribute to a distinguished officer, colleague and friend who epitomised the very essence of EDITOR: professionalism, both as a soldier and as a sportsman. Sgt David Nagle I [email protected] On a personal note, on behalf of everyone in An Cosantóír and Public Relations Section, I would like to JOURNALISTS: extend my deepest sympathies to the Earley family. Lt Gen Earley as Chief of Staff, but also in an earlier Wesley Bourke command as Director of Public Relations Section, was always there – to lead, offer advice and guide. It was Terry McLaughlin an honour to have served and to have known the man. We will never forget him. CONNECT: At this time, let us also remember another former Chief of Staff, Lt Gen Gerry O’Sullivan DSM who passed Cpl Paul O’Neill away on June 22nd. PHOTOGRAPHER: Armn Billy Galligan Our main feature this month is a series of reflections by former soldiers who served in the Congo with the [email protected] UN between 1960-64. We hope they may give our readers some understanding of their experiences in Africa. SUBSCRIPTIONS: To compliment this article, our Def Tech pages look at some of the vehicles they used in the Congo, while Cpl Finola Lafferty we also review a number of books on the Congo and we have an interesting article from an officer currently [email protected] serving with the UN in the Congo today. ADVERTISING: EU Publishing Apart from this, our readers will receive a Connect Congo Special which includes a message from the Chief Michael Whelan of Staff, a brief history of the mission and our centrespread lists the citations some 66 Irish soldiers Brian Clarke received for their bravery and distinguished service in the Congo. Tel: 01 7071931 Email: [email protected] Other articles this month include a close look at a recent engineering YOs course and an interview with the [email protected] Minister for Defence. Not forgetting, we have our regulars - Tac Aide, Sports Update, Gadgets and What I Do. DESIGNER: We hope you enjoy. M & J Graphics [email protected] PRINTER: Turner Print Group Sgt David Nagle Editor The fact that an article appears in this magazine does not indicate official approval of the Facebook – Celebration – Memorial Service – views expressed by the author. Lt Gen Dermot Earley DSM 50th Congo Airlift Lt Gen O’Sullivan DSM If you are on facebook, Don’t forget, this takes place A memorial service for © Published by why not checkout the in Casement Aerodrome on the former Chief of Staff, OiC Public Relations Section tribute page to the former July 23rd and all surviving Lt Gen Gerry O’Sulllivan for the Defence Forces at DFHQ, Infirmary Road, Chief of Staff and share Congo veterans are invited to DSM, will take place in Dublin 7, Ireland. your memories, photographs and attend. For tickets, please the Garrison Church, Tel: 01 8042691 personal messages on the group: ring 01-8042284/5. McKee Bks on July 26th Fax: 01 6779018 RIP Lieutenant General Dermot at 11.30am. All former Earley DSM. Over 5,300 messages comrades and friends Front Cover: already posted. are invited to attend. IUNVA and ONE veterans are greeted by soldiers during a photocall to promote the 50th Congo airlift. Photo by: Sgt Writing articles Sending in a photograph D Faulkner (AC Photo Sec). and letters When sending photographs in, Naturally, if you are sending in a especially by email, please consider number of digital photographs, Ideally we would like submitted the following: burn them to disc and post in! articles and letters in by email For more Defence Forces or on disc. Hardcopy articles • Save as jpeg format Clearly mark envelope photographs, checkout: are also accepted. • File size: No less that 1.5Mb and no ‘CD with Photographs’. www.flickr.com/photos/ As a general rule, we look bigger than 3Mb (as jpegs) Also submit a short note with dfmagazine for two to three page • Resolution: 300 DPI details like: articles with 600 to 700 words • Dimension: 150x100mm per A4 page. Larger articles (6x4in) minimum • Who took the photograph An Cosantóir are considered, though they • What was the occasion ONLINE may be spread over two issues • Where did it happen To access past issues of or submitted to the Defence • Who is in the photograph (left to An Cosantóir, log onto: Forces Review with the right, back to front, rank, first and dfmagazine.ie. author’s approval. surnames) All material submitted This month’s username is: should be of a military If sending in photographic prints, avoid august and the password is: related topic. writing on the back of them. august (lower case). AN COSANTÓIR July-August 2010 5 00-An Cos-july-aug-10 (p6-7) 14/07/2010 13:19 Page 6 on parade • on parade • on parade • on parade • o Book Launch On June 14th, former soldier and now author Declan Power launched a new limited edition of his book, Siege of Jadotville - The Irish Army’s forgotten Green Fingers Battle, which tells the heroic story of Irish troops who fought in the Congo. Pictured at the launch in Custume Bks, Athlone are (l-r): CQMS Peter McKenna Lt Col Mick Rock (OC HQ 4 W Bde RDF) is seen here (Retd), Capt Martin McCormack (OC HQ Bty 54 Res Arty Regt), Comdt Fred congratulating Pte Joe Cooney who was recently pre- Duggan (HQ 4 W Bde RDF), CQMS Ger O’Connor (HQ Bty 54 Res Arty Regt) and sented with a trophy from the Galway Tidy Towns author Declan Power. Photo courtesy of: CQMS O’Connor. Competition Committee. Joe took the second place prize in a recent tidy garden competition (commercial building section). Photo by: Bertie O’Leary. On Target Brig Gen Gerry Hegarty (GOC 4 W Bde) is seen here with this year’s 4 W Bde Golf Champions (l-r): Cpl Jimmy Digan and Sgt Paddy Poynton (both 4 Fd Arty Regt). Photo courtesy of: Sgt Maj Noel O’Callaghan (4 Fd Arty Regt). Army Prize New Chief of Staff Lt Col Arthur Armstrong (OC 4 Fd Arty Regt) is seen Congratulations to Lt Gen Sean McCann who was appointed Chief of Staff on here presenting the perpetual trophy, the ‘Army Prize’ at June 9th. A native of Cork and Tipperary, he was commissioned into the Cavalry Mullingar Golf Club to the 2010 winner Ray Kenny. The Corps in 1972 and has served in numerous command and staff appointments prize was first played for in 1944 and has been an annual throughout his career. Lt Gen McCann also served overseas in Lebanon (UNIFIL event ever since. Army club members (serving and and UNTSO), Iraq/Kuwait (UNIKOM) and Bosnia (EUMM). On behalf of all our retired) sponsor an array of prizes for this annual com- reader, may we wish the new chief of Staff all the best in his new appointment. petition, which saw over 200 players take part this year. Photo by: Sgt Damian Faulkner (AC Photo Sec). Also pictured is Club Captain, Mr Liam Conlon. Photo by: Mr Chris Garry. 6 AN COSANTÓIR July-August 2010 00-An Cos-july-aug-10 (p6-7) 12/07/2010 16:41 Page 7 arade • on parade • on parade • on parade • on parade ON PARADE ■ LÉ Niamh makes history The LÉ Niamh has become the first Irish naval vessel to navigate through the Panama Canal. The 41.7 nautical mile voyage took eight hours. Her com- manding officer, Lieutenant Jack & Jill Commander Ken Minehane, from Day Out Bantry, Co Cork said it was a huge hon- On June 19th, a combined force of over 20 our. ‘The fact that we were the first Irish troopers (2 Cav Sqn) and gunners (2 Fd Arty naval vessel through the Magellan Regt) invaded the grounds of the Royal Straits, and now the Panama Canal has Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin to assist the added a great sense of history to the voyage,’ he said. Jack & Jill Charity in their fundraising Irish Examiner, June 19th appeal. Visitor to the hospital got a chance to see some of the latest vehicles, armour and equipment currently in service. The Air Corps ■ Donnelly Obelisk denies Pipe Band was on site to provide some Vandals musical entertainment and the soldiers Vandals who recently attacked Dan present were only too glad to show off their Donnelly’s monument on the Curragh found the historic structure as wares. Well done to all who help to make the indestructible as the legendary Irish day a success.