An Cosantóir

www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE | 7 SUPPORT FOR VETERANS Recently BQMS Paul Gifford, presented a cheque for €450 on behalf of the 2 Fd Arty Regt Association to Richard Dillon, ONE's House Manager in Brú na bhFiann, for their "Sleeping Flags" Campaign. Photo: ONE ONE COFFEE MORNING A coffee morning was held by the Dublin Business School (DBS) on 7th March 2019, organised by DF Veteran and now Lecturer Ray Whelan in aid of the ONE's Fuchsia Appeal for homeless veterans. The event raised over €1,000 of much- needed funds for our veterans. Ray is pictured with Richard Dillon from ONE and DBS colleague Ciara Lambe. Photo: Sgt Mick Burke COMBINEX IN UNIFIL Early in March 2019, members of 113 IRISHBATT in Lebanon with UNIFIL took part in COMBINEX (Combined Exercise), an interoperability exercise in which IRISHBATT were assessed in a number of key areas. Serials included firefighting, response to a Road Traffic Accident (RTA) and a UXO (Unexploded Ordnance) strike. Photo: Capt John Gilligan ST CONLETH'S BRANCH ONE REMEMBERS A double wreath laying ceremony was held by St Conleth's Branch ONE on Saturday 23rd February 2019 at the WW1 Memorial in St Conleth's Cemetery Newbridge and at the ONE Memorial Plaque at Newbridge Town Hall in memory of all those who lost their lives in past conflicts and in the cause of peace with the United Nations. They were joined on the day by friends from St Michael's Branch ONE Athy, 3 Inf Bn Association, Glengarry Club and the Military Police Association of Ireland. Wreaths were laid on the day by Michael Kinahan, Chairman of the Leinster Area Council ONE and John Fogarty, Chairman of St Conleth's Branch ONE Newbridge. Photo: Martin Rowe ELITE BOXING On 9th February 2019, Sgt Tommy Sheahan, DFPES won his fight in Senior Elite Boxing Championships in the National Stadium Dublin. He was the only DF member to win a fight that night. That was even more special as he was the oldest competitor at the age of 39 to enter since the no boxing over 40 came in 10-years-ago. So Tommy made history as the oldest boxer to win an elite fight at senior level. He fought at 91+kgs super heavy weight. Tommy lost to the no 1 contender Dean Gardiner on the 10th February. Well done Tommy. Photo: Sgt Tommy Sheahan, DFPES CONGO DISPLAY DAY IN RATHAGAN On Saturday 9th March 2019, a Congo Display Day was organised by NC & JO'B Photography Studio & Gallery in Rathangan. The display was to remember and honour those DF veterans who served in the Congo, and a great opportunity to award a local Congo Veteran Paddy Shiels (93), who misplaced his medals over the years or as he says, "left behind". This was kept a secret from Paddy, where organiser John O'Brien (of NC & J'OB Photography) was able to source replacement medals. Paddy had a great day as did everyone, with many thanks to the IMVG for the displays, to Paul Clarke and the 2 Inf Bn Assoc for helping with the medals and presentation, to Ruth Conlan of 'The Burrow' for the catering, and to all those who came on the day. Photo: NC & J O'B Photography

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