An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir November 2018 www.dfmagazine.ie 14 | BY SGT WAYNE FITZGERALD PHOTOS BY ARMN JAMIE BARRETT O n Tuesday 4th September, Maj Gen Michael Beary was awarded the Distin- guished Service Medal (An Bonn Seirbhíse Dearscna) with Hon- our, in Cathal Brugha Bks, Dublin. The citation reads: 'For distinguished service characterised by out- standing qualities of leadership, diplomacy and devotion to duty as Head of Mission and Force Com- mander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and as Force Commander of the European Union Training Mission in Somalia. His distin- guished service has made a significant contribution to regional stability and world peace and enhanced the reputa- tion of Ireland and its Defence Forces.' Minister with Responsibility for Defence, Mr Paul Kehoe TD, ac- companied by DF Chief of Staff, Vice-Admiral Mark Mellett DSM, attend the ceremony along with members of the general staff, officials of the Dept of Defence and Maj Gen Beary's family and friends. On parade were troops from 7 Inf Bn, the Air Corps and the Naval Service, and DF veterans, many of whom had served with Maj Gen Beary during his 44 years of service. As well as a distinguished domestic career, which culminated as GOC 2 Bde, Maj Gen Beary has the distinction of commanding two multinational overseas missions. From August 2011 to Febru- ary 2013, he commanded the European Union Training Mission in Somalia (EUTM Somalia), and in May 2016 UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon appointed him as Head of Mission and Force Com- mander, United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), a post he held until August 2018. In presenting the award Minister Kehoe said: "Major General Beary has had a long and distinguished career since he joined the Irish Defence Forces in 1973. He has spent a total of 12 years in over- seas deployments in various countries, including Lebanon, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan and Yugoslavia. "Since July 2016, Major General Beary has held the prestigious ap- pointment of UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander. It has been over thirty years since an Irish person has held this appoint- ment. He brought extensive command and peacekeeping experi- ence to the post, serving with distinction in an appointment, which was not without significant challenge." The minister also thanked Maj Gen Beary's wife and family for their support, noting: "Service does not come without sacrifice; that sacrifice falls most heavily on the family". Vice Admiral Mellett said that Maj Gen Beary has been "an outstanding leader, who for over forty years has given selfless, loyal service to Óglaigh na hÉireann, Ireland, and the international community. Today is a proud day for him and his family. I would like to congratulate him on his award and offer him best wishes in the future." UN Under-Secretary General for Peacekeeping Jean Pierre Lacroix, sent the following message: "The United Nations and the Department of Peacekeeping Operations were privileged to have Major General Michael Beary at the leadership of UNIFIL. His exem- plary dedication and integrity during his tenure as the Head of Mission and Force Commander were integral to the achievements accomplished by the Mission. His strong leadership, commitment to core peacekeep- ing values and principles and pro-active ap- proach enabled UNIFIL to carry out its important mandate during a particularly challenging pe- riod." The United Nations also conveyed its gratitude to the Irish government and the Defence Forces "for their unwavering commitment and support to United Nations peacekeeping." OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP RECOGNISED General Michael Beary Awarded DSM Minister Kehoe and Vice-Admiral Mellett present Maj Gen Beary with his DSM and citation. Vice-Admiral Mark Mellett DSM, Maj Gen Beary DSM, and Col Ian Byrne DSM. Maj Gen Beary with veterans from the 2 Inf Bn Association: (l/r) Jim Cahill, Gregory Leech and Noel O'Neill. Minister Kehoe and Vice-Admiral Mellett with Maj Gen Michael Beary and his family (his son, Lt Howard Beary, is serving with 7 Inf Bn). OC 7 Inf Bn, Lt Col Seán Ó Fátharta, accompanies Maj Gen Beary as he inspects the parade.

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