An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 13 (courtesy of Reuters, AP & AFP) This was the first fatal attack on the 13,000-strong UNIFIL force since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war and drew swift condemnation from many international leaders. The attack was one of the worst experienced by UNIFIL in its 29-year presence in South Lebanon. On 21st October this year, a ceremony was hosted by Spanish Ambassador Mr Javier Garrigues Flórez in the Spanish Embassy attended by distinguished guests including Chief of Staff Lt Gen Conor O'Boyle, Brig Gen Colm Campbell (ACOS), Brig Gen Michael Beary (GOC 2 Bde) and Captain Víctor Díaz del Río, the Spanish Defence Attaché. At this ceremony Lt Col Ryan and Coy Sgt Bohan were awarded the Cross of Military Merit (Cruces del Mérito Militar) with white distinction (con distintivo blanco) for their actions. The medal is generally awarded to members of the Spanish Armed Forces, or civilians, for out- standing actions or extraordinary service. Ambassador Flóres said it was a special honour to host the ceremony and that "the model behav- iour and extraordi- nary courage of the recipients should be a matter of pride for the army they serve." The ambassador continued: "We are presenting these awards as a testi- mony of gratitude and admiration from the Spanish Army to Lt Col Ryan and Coy Sgt Bo- han, who carried out this heroic action. We also wish to recognise the altruistic work that military personnel do in peace missions throughout the five continents." This is not the first time that the Irish Defence Forces have been honoured by Spain for heroic acts safeguarding Span- ish lives. In January 1990, L/Sea Michael Quinn and A/Sea Paul Kellett, members of the Irish Naval Service on LÉ Deirdre, were awarded the Spanish Cross of Naval Merit by the King of Spain for their heroic rescue of a Spanish trawler crew aboard the Nuestra Se- ñora de Gardtoza. Sadly L/Sea Quinn lost his life in the attempt and A/Sea Kellett was badly injured. Ambassador Flóres concluded, saying: "I would like to stress that Ireland and Spain are strongly committed to the UN and are actively engaged in its peacekeep- ing operations around the world. Let us celebrate today not only the admirable courage and generosity shown by Lt Col Ryan and Coy Sgt Bohan, but also the spe- cial relationship that both our countries have enjoyed throughout the centuries." A Spanish soldier tries to stop journalists access to the area of the attack. (Reuters)

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