An Cosantóir

www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE | 13 aircraft, and whose brother Col Tom Hodson (retd) was also a founder member. Though PTS School Commandant Lt Col Gary Gartland was unavoidably absent on the day, his leading role in bringing PCM and the PTS to where they are today was acknowledged by President DF Parachuting, Col Adrian Ó Murchú. Presentations of engraved PCM mirrors, traditionally made to former members of the parachute team, were made to Des Travers, first chairman of the PCM, and Mr Tom Colley, who was one of a number of civilian parachute instructor/jump- masters that trained members of the DF to instructor level in the early 1970s, thus enabling the establishment of PCM. A special, joint presentation of Club Member of the Year was made by Col Ó Murchú to Cpl Paul 'Butch' Halpin (NSRC) and his wife Marita, in recognition of their bravery and resilience since Butch's parachute accident in 2015, and in recognition of his outstanding contribution to PCM over the last year, not least in the renovation of the Centre. Thankfully Butch has made a remarkable recovery, has qualified as a parachute rigger in the interim, and did a huge amount with clubhouse manager Coy Sgt 'Doc' O'Connell and others to bring the building up to standard for the GOC's inspection and opening. Looking forward, PTS will run a military static line young entry course for DF ap- plicants in 2019, and PCM will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2022. In the meantime, PDF and RDF members who are interested in joining PCM are advised to undergo an acceler- ated freefall course in their own time, after which they can join the team and progress to jumping from Air Corps aircraft. Once members have completed five jumps from an Air Corps aircraft (either on a formal course or as part of routine PCM training), they qualify for para- chute wings. For more informa- tion on DF parachuting, check out the PCM page on IKON. SGT PAUDIE COSTELLO REMEMBERED An Para-Chumann Míleata recently lost one of its most senior instructors and display team members, after a long illness bravely borne. Army Reserve Sgt Paudie Costello, 12 Inf Bn, who lost his battle with cancer in July, had been a key leader of the Black Knights for decades and had instructed countless mem- bers of the DF on both freefall and static line parachute courses. Paudie's involvement in PCM was diverse, ranging from instructor and tandem master to military static line jumpmaster. He was a senior member of the display team and had trusted technical knowledge to offer on ground and air recces prior to any display jump request. Regardless of rank, Paudie would give an honest answer if asked a ques- tion and that answer would be given with a knowing smile! Knowing Paudie was on the team gave members of the display panel confidence, whether it was an air recce of a potential dis- play jump location or an actual display jump into a tight landing area. But more than all of this, Paudie was a good friend to all the members of PCM and the members of the various units he served in during his career in the RDF. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Tracey, his children, Joshua, Seán, Clodagh and Fionn, and his other family members and friends. Along with the sadness, there is also a great sense of pride among PCM members in hav- ing had the honour of knowing and working with Paudie over many years. Rest in peace, our friend and comrade. GOC DFTC Brig Gen Joe Mulligan cuts the ribbon accompanied by the Mulcahy family. The Mulcahy family: Daughter Margaret and sons Paul and Danny, retired Sgt Armourer and BQMS respectively. The Mulcahy family along with GOC DFTC Brig Gen Joe Mulligan, President DF Parachuting Col Adrian Ó Murchú accompanied with PCM members past and present in front of the Paddy Mulcahy Centre. Pte Colin Curran, Ord Sch.

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