An Cosantóir

on parade 7 | BROTHERS IN ARMS The British Legion Branch based in Limerick City, is seen here handing over a donation to their fellow colleagues from the Patrick Sarsfield Branch of ONE in aid of the Ex-Servicemen’s Home. Pictured (l-r) are: Cllr Maria Byrne (Mayor of Limerick), Dennis Carroll (British Legion), Leonard Hawkins and Joe O’Mahony (Both ONE). Photo courtesy of: Joe O’Mahony. DEBENHAMS PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION WINNER - JUNE Congratulations to David Brannigan who won this month’s photographic competition, kindly sponsored by Debenhams. His photo shows Commodore Mark Mellett DSM (FOCNS) is seen here being presented with a commemorative vase from the Minister of State for Defence, Mr Paul Kehoe TD following a meeting of the Life Governors of Irish Water Safety at the Westbury Hotel, Dublin. Photograph by: David Branigan (oceansport.ie). FIGHTING FOR IRELAND… The morning after Ross Hickey won the Irish Senior Light Welterweight National Championship, he was back at work - training to be an Irish Army Private. The 24-year-old was on parade at the Curragh in Co Kildare at 8am - and he was warmly welcomed by his comrades-in-arms. The Co Kildare man said, ‘I was happy I got a good reception from the lads and the corporals.’ Irish Daily Star, May 7th SECURITY FOR QUEEN AND OBAMA VISITS TO COST €30M The cost of the massive security operation to protect Queen Elizabeth and US President Barack Obama when they visit later this month is estimated to reach almost €30m - the biggest policing operation ever mounted here. Irish Independent, May 9th LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - CATHAL BRUGHA Madam, in your report on the opening of the visitor’s centre of Cathal Brugha Barracks (Home News, May 6th), you describe Cathal Brugha as Chief of Staff and Minister for Defence. Brugha was never Chief of Staff nor was he in the Army at anytime. He was Minister for Defence in the two Sinn Féin Dáils from April 1919 to January 1922. Mulcahy was Chief of Staff from March 1918 until January 1922 and again from June 29th 1922 to late August 1922, when he succeeded Michael Collins as Commander in Chief. The roles of Brugha and Mulcahy are often misunderstood because of errors included in the Béaslaí biography of Collins published in 1926 and in subsequent works. Mulcahy succeeded Brugha as Minister for Defence from January 1922 to March 1924, when he resigned at the time of the Army Mutiny. Yours, Risteárd Mulchay MD Irish Times, May 10th WE’RE UP TO SECURITY CHALLENGE Though the US president is only coming for one day to visit us, his security footprint will dwarf that of the Queen. Flying into Baldonnel Aerodrome, home of the Irish Air Corps, on Tuesday, the Queen’s visit will have huge implications for the Gardai and Defence Forces. She’ll arrive on an RAF VIP transport aircraft into a ring of steel supplied by the Defence Forces, including armoured units from the 1st Tank Squadron and 2nd Cavalry Squadron. The Irish Sun, May 12th THREAT RUINS ROYAL VISIT The latest bomb outrage in the capital highlights the huge task faced by the Garda and Defence Forces charged with providing security during the Queen’s visit. It is now clear the pseudo republicans involved will do all they can to disrupt the Royal stay. The fact such incidents close down the country’s biggest railway station causing misery and fear is of no concern to these terrorists. Those behind the attacks are people who live in the past who cannot bear to witness progress and peace between two neighbouring countries. These people say they do not want the Queen in Ireland but the vast majority of Irish people do not want them or their twisted political views. Irish Daily Mail, May 12th THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE

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