An Cosantóir

www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE | 5 Manager Comdt David McKnight info@military.ie +353 (0)45 44 5306 Editor Sgt Wayne Fitzgerald magazine@military.ie +353 (0)45 44 5307 Connect Sgt Karl Byrne connect@military.ie Photo/Journalist Cpl Lee Coyle journalist@military.ie Photographer Armn Sam Gibney photo@military.ie Subscriptions Cpl Martin Bennett +353 (0)45 44 5312 subs@military.ie DF/PR Information Vacant admin@military.ie +353 (0)45 44 5308 DF Webmaster Sgt Mick Burke +353 (0)45 44 5309 webmaster@military.ie Magazine Archivist Mr Sean Shinnors Designer/Advertising JM Publishing & Media, Arklow, Co. Wicklow,Ireland Tel: +353 15331911 Tel: +353871344135 Web: www.jmpublishing.ie Email: info@jmpublishing.ie Printer Turner's Printing Co., Ltd Earl Street, Longford, Ireland Tel: +353 (0)43 3350500 The fact that an article appears in this magazine does not indicate official approval of the views expressed by the author. © Published by OiC Public Relations Branch for the Defence Forces at DFHQ, Block 5, Ceannt Bks, DFTC, Curragh Camp, Co Kildare, Ireland. Tel: +353 (0)45 445312 Front Cover P63 L.É. William Butler Yeats - Photo by A/S Davey Jones For more Defence Forces photographs, checkout: www.flickr.com/photos/ dfmagazine Editorial H ello, and welcome to our second issue of 2020, continuing with our 80th volume – in the historic milestone the An Cosantóir magazine has reached. As ever we have a wide variety of articles this month, ranging from EUTM Mali to Poland and back to the Navy's operations in the Mediterranean. Our On Parade section, as always has a wide variety of stories this month, please keep them coming in. Our In Focus pages was provided by Maebh Butler of the Irish Red Cross, focusing on the Defence Forces hosting the International Humanitarian law competition, which will take place in late March at Cathal Brugha Bks. Page 10 has a report on the visit of 22 students from Foyle College Grammar School, Derry City. The students aim of their visit was to broaden their understanding of a period of time that Irelands was under British Rule, we hope the visit provided them with the knowledge they'll need to succeed with the A Level history exams. We move forward then to our first main feature article, brought to us from Comdt Gavin Egerton, who is currently serving overseas in EUTM Mali with Irish Involvement in EUTM Mali. Gavin gives us an insiders view the history behind the mission and the positions our troops hold within the mission itself. In Operation Sophia, our second main feature, Cdr Caoimhín MacUnfraidh takes a look at the situation of the Mediterranean and Irelands naval involvement, as he also looks back on his time as Director of the Operational Headquarters of Operation Sophia. Our third main feature Israel, Lebanon and UNIFIL: A view from the South, Comdt James O'Hara, the Defence Forces Press Officer, interviews Mr Amos Harel who is a leading Military & Defence correspondent for the Israeli daily Newspaper Haaretz. An intriguing look from an Israeli Journalist, at the situation that consistently comes up news reports. Last shot, takes us into 7 INF BN's C & D companies range practices and in particular Coy Sgt (AR) Dave Tyrrell's last range practice, as he will be retiring with over 40 yrs service, good luck to Dave in his future endeavours. Sgt Wayne Fitzgerald talked to Patryk Kieltyka of the Polish Armed Forces. In Soldiering for Poland, Patryk tells us how he grew up in Ireland but returned to his home country to join the Polish Armed Forces. He is now in his 4th year studying in the Military Land Forces Academy in Wroclaw, Poland. CQMS Anthony Connolly DSM is honoured by his daughter Cpl Tracey Connolly Ret'd, Tracey tells us the story of how her father was awarded a DSM for his brave actions during an incident in the Congo in 1960. Our history articles feature a piece from Pat Boland in the Heroic Ryans of Cashel and then a piece from James Scannell, Attacks Against the DMP, 1919. Of course we have our regulars with Sport, Tac-aide, Gear up, Noticeboard and not to forget our 2 competitions. Sgt Karl Byrne – (Stand-in) Editor CORPORAL'S VACANCY IN PUBLIC RELATIONS BRANCH Do you want to develop your skills in COMMUNICATION? Utilise your MOTIVATION in a different direction? Become a member of a highly motivated TEAM. There is currently an opportunity for a Corporal or a Private with the Potential NCO's course completed, to fill a vacancy that exists in the PRB Team. AF 154, MIF course and ECDL are desirable qualifications to have but not essential. If you'd like to find out more about this opportunity please contact us here at An Cosantóir or the Information office to find out more.

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