An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir April 2019 www.dfmagazine.ie 38 | GERARD KENNEDY AN SLUA MUIRÍ (NOW CALLED NAVAL SERVICE RESERVE) ABLE SEAMAN TO LIEUTENANT BY SGT WAYNE FITZGERALD PHOTOS SGT MICK BURKE G erard Kennedy was bornin Limerick City in 1939, on O'Connell Avenue close to the old entrance to Sarsfield Barracks. He was educated in a Christian Brothers school, and at age 17 and a half he signed up to An Slua Muirí in 1955 with his brother Donal. They served in No 5 Coy, An Slua Muirí. He remembers marching and drilling most evenings and then firing his Mk3 and Mk 4 Lee Enfield 303. rifle on the ranges. Then the big difference when they switched over to the FN FAL 7.62mm rifle, "It had very little recoil," he said. During his time in the An Slua Muirí he worked his way up the ranks, Able Seaman for a few short years, then Leading Seaman (LS). He remembers being the instructor with new recruits as the LS. Five years later he was promoted to Petty Officer (PO), and was placed in charge of a watch, they were Seamans, Signals, Stokers – which was "a dirty job" he recalls, and Engine Room. Gerard remembers fondly receiving his peaked cap and reefer coat. He was then asked to assist the regular Naval Service Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Michael McInerney who had 30+ years' service in admin of the Coy. During his service Gerard did many courses in Haulbowline, in particular the firefighting which was a great experience but tough – "We did what we asked, as we trusted our instructors," he said. "We went to sea for two weeks every year, serving on the Deirdre, Eimer, Ashling – I've been there for the stand-down of these ships!" Gerard remembers being at sea on the southern coast in the early 1960s, and having to intercept and board a Spanish trawler who was illegally fishing near Castletownbere, "I had to stay on board overnight along with the regular NS PO armed with our BAPs [Browning Automatic Pistol]. We then handed them over to Garda when they arrived." In 1964 Gerard was commissioned as an Ensign (2nd Lt), after he completed his 6-month Officers Course, which was con- ducted between Haulbowline and Limerick. He took up many appointments as an officer, and was promoted to Sub Lt in 1968, and Lt in 1972. He then became the EO of No 5 Coy, and responsible for recruitment. Gerard's unit were called in to assist securing the Silvermines quarry, as it had dynamite that subversives were trying to steal during the Troubles. Gerard had an enjoyable career with many highlights, one being Pope John Paull II visiting Limerick during his Papal Visit to Ireland in 1979. "He visited Limerick Race Course on route to Shan- non Airport. We assisting in guarding him as 1,000s of people tried to see him." Another highlight includes the Military Pilgrimage to Lourdes in 1971. In his civilian life, Gerard had started working in the office of the Limerick Leader as a young man. He became the Personal Manager after 15-years and served the paper for 42-years. He re- members being asked by a then Lt Colm Doyle in 1978 if he could arrange for the Limerick Leader to be sent out to Lebanon for the troops to read. Another highlight for Gerard was traveling out to Lebanon as a journalist in 1999 to report on the stand-down parade of Lt Col Senan Downes, OC 84 Inf Bn, who was from Co Clare. Gerard travelled to see the hills of South Lebanon, the Golan Heights and Naqura, places he had only read about. On his retirement from the An Slua Muirí, Gerard joined the Naval Service Association, and marched in the St. Patrick's Day parade in 1996, before becoming the president of the association 2011-2012. He had the honour of laying a wreath at the Cenotaph in London on behalf of the Association in 2011. He remains a mem- ber of the Association today. Gerard said he has seen big improvements in the Naval Service and Naval Service Reserve over the years. He acknowledges that he had a good and long career in An Slua Muirí (now called the Naval Service Reserve), "I had a great life, and I reared 7 children." Gerard is now 80-years of age and retired nearly 16-years. Commissioning Ceremony for Gerard Kennedy and Andy McSherry of No 5 Coy, with Donogh O'Mally Minister for Education, Mayor of Limerick Mrs Francis Condell, OC NS Capt Tommy McKenna present in Sarsfield Barracks. Pictured with Col Richard 'Dick' Heaslip on completion of the Potential NCOs Course in 1964. Meeting the Defence Forces' Elder Veterans

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