An Cosantóir

14 | 27 Inf Bn Celebrations by Capt M O'Sullivan Photos by Sgt E Doherty (27 Inf Bn) T Pte Dignam receiving a presentation for 40 years' service with 27 Inf Bn. o celebrate the 40th anniversary of its formation and its association with the town of Dundalk, 27 Infantry Battalion held a parade in the town in Market Square on Saturday 31st August. The battalion formed up in Aiken Bks and then marched to Market Square, where it was reviewed by the Chairman of Dundalk Town Council, Mr Eamon O'Boyle, on behalf of the people of Dundalk. On parade were members of 27 Inf Bn based in Aiken Bks and Gormanston Camp, Co Meath, both PDF and RDF. The 2 Brigade band provided musical accompaniment. Also on parade were members of (L/R): BSM S McKenna (retd), Lt Col O'Brien ONEt and of the 27 Inf Bn Association, all of whom are former and BSM Murray. members of the unit. Troops marching to town square. The parade was commanded by OC 27 Inf Bn Lt Col Maureen O'Brien, who made a presentation to Mr O'Boyle on behalf of the unit. A special presentation was also made to Pte John Dignam, who is one of two members who have served with 27 Inf Bn since its formation in 1973. Following the outbreak of civil unrest in Northern Ireland in 1969, the government ordered troops to the border area. At first this was in the form of infantry company groups, which were small in number but very mobile, backed up by close-support elements. With no end in sight to the Troubles, it was eventually deemed that a more permanent presence was needed. A tree-planting ceremony in Aiken Bks, (L/R): BSM J Murray, Cpl B Brogan and Lt In September 1973 these groups were replaced by two newly-formed regular infantry battalions, Col O'Brien. one of which was 27 Inf Bn. The battalion was deployed with its HQ in Dundalk, and outposts in Castleblaney and Cootehill, embracing an area of responsibility covering Louth, Monaghan, East Cavan and North Meath. Its first commanding officer was Lt Col Louis Hogan, and its first sergeant major was BSM B Burke. The unit flash was designed by Lt Col Hogan in 1973 and introduced in March 1974. Its symbols are based on the legend of Cúchulainn, which have particular relevance to the battalion's area of operation. They refer to the account of the High King Conchubhair presenting Cúchulainn with a sword and two spears that he broke when testing them. The hexagonal shape of the flash represents the sloped armour which is a feature of modern infantry transport and protection, and its colours are purple and gold of the infantry. Aiken Bks was named in 1986 by the then Taoiseach, Dr Garrett Fitzgerald, after former Táinaiste Frank Aiken. It was a fitting gesture of recognition and reconciliation in that it was named after a man who had played a full part in the development of the Irish Free State both before and after the War of Independence and who started out with the anti-treaty forces in time held the office of Minister for Defence. The roles of 27 Inf Bn, which remain unchanged since its founding, are to demonstrate a military presence in the border area; provide aid to the civil power, as requested; protect designated VIPs as required; and be prepared to provide support for refugees and casualty evacuation as necessary. Today 27 Inf Bn participates in the full range of the Defence Forces' operational and training commitments, including EOD and cash-in-transit escorts, security duties in Portlaoise Prison, and providing troops for overseas service. Since 1973, 27 Inf Bn has had a proud record of overseas service with its members having served in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Chad, Congo, Cyprus, East Timor, Kosovo, Kuwait, Lebanon, Liberia, Mali, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Western Sahara. 27 Inf Bn currently has personnel serving in Lebanon with UNIFIL, and in Syria as part of the UNDOF mission. 27 Inf Bn Charity Event by Jim McEneaney (Chairman Michael Mc Neela Br ONE) Photos by Sgt (Doc) Docherty (27 Inf Bn) his year's annual charity event by 27 Inf Bn took place on the 7th October and was in aid of the Michael Mc Neela branch of the Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen and Women (ONE) and SOSAD (Save Our Sons And Daughters) a local charity that provides help to families of suicide victims. Members of 27 Inf Bn in teams of four, completed a 46k relay marathon over the Cooley Mountains, starting from Aiken Bks and finishing at the town square Dundalk. The event sponsorship cards were distributed to our members and we raised €2,500 which will be divided between SOSAD and ONE. We hope that the monies raised will help to provide funding for SOSAD. Last year this event raised €5,000 for St Brigid's Special Needs School. For more information on SOSAD visit www.sosadireland.ie or contact them on Ph: 041 98 48 754 or email:info@sosadireland.ie. On behalf of the ONE and SOSAD we thank Lt Col Maureen O'Brien (OC 27 Inf Bn), Officers, NCOs, men and women of the 27 Inf Bn for their continued support. T An Cosantóir November 2013 www.dfmagazine.ie Pictured making a presentation (L/R): Marlis Griffith, Jim Mc Eneaney (ONE), Comdt John Kilmartin (27 Inf Bn), Sarah Carr and Kevin Woods.

• Cover