An Cosantóir

trooper pat mullins | 17 Pictured at the memorial of Trooper Patrick Mullins are his family, Lt Gen Sean McCann (Chief of Staff), Mr Alan Shatter TD (Minister for Defence) and Brig Gen Paul Pakenham (GOC 1 S Bde). Katangese president's residence, and the Gendarmarie HQ. Unfor- tunately, there was no trace of either Cpl Nolan or Tpr Mullins. Spent 9mm casings located beside the armoured car suggested a prolonged period of combat. All equipment had been taken from the armoured car, its turret was jammed, and its main armament's water jacket was perforated by small-arms fire. On the balance of probabilities Cpl Nolan and Tpr Mullins died on Friday, 15 Septem- ber 1961, following the hostile combat engagement with the Katangese Gendar- marie on Boulevard Reine Elizabeth, in the proximity of Commune Albert. This oc- curred some time after the initial ambush at Radio College on 14 September, 1961. In November 1961 Corporal Nolan's remains were located and identified in a lo- cal Union Miniere graveyard. Subsequently, Corporal Nolan's remains were recovered back to Ireland for burial in the Army Plot, Glasnevin. He was buried with Tpr Anthony Brown MMG with full military honours on 16 November 1962. The attendance in- cluded An tUachtarán, Mr Eamon deValera, Mr Bartley, Minister for Defence, and Lt Col Hugh McNamee, OC 35 Inf Bn. Despite the most exhaustive enquiries and searches undertaken by the Irish contingents in the Congo, Tpr Mullins's remains were not discovered and after 50 years it is highly unlikely that they will ever be located, identified and recovered to Ireland. Tpr Mullins and Pte Kevin Joyce from Gal- way, who was kidnapped and killed while serving with UNIFIL in South Lebanon in 1981, are the only Irish soldiers whose re- mains have not been recovered to Ireland. Ar Dhéis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha dílis. Trooper Mullins was posthumously awarded the Defence Forces Military Star, the Defence Forces Peacekeepers Medal, the UN Medal (Congo), and the United Na- tions Dag Hammarskjold Medal. On 8 November 1998 the minister for de- fence presented the Military Star, awarded to Tpr Mullins, to his mother Catherine, who later died in December 1998. The medal citation says: "Trooper Patrick Mul- lins gave his life in the cause of world peace while serving with the United Nations on Peacekeeping duties at Elizabethville in the Republic of the Congo on the 15 September 1961. In recognition of this supreme sacri- fice he is posthumously awarded An Réalt Míleata (The Military Star)." Tpr Pat Mullins's extended family, sup- ported by Pat's former comrades, have displayed remarkable, commendable fortitude, courage, and patience, during their extensive and grief laden pilgrimage to ensure that his extraordinary valour and bravery is today, after 50 years, appro- priately recognised by our nation and its Defence Forces. Tpr Patrick Mullins has become a household name for selfless sacrifice and gallantry, throughout the Defence Forces and especially in 1 Cav Sqn. Serving and retired personnel of all ranks salute Tpr Patrick Mullins for his outstand- ing courage and bravery, above and be- yond the call of duty, demonstrated in the face of extreme danger, whilst engaged in hostile action, resulting in him been killed in action, fighting and serving his country and the United Nations. Following a concelebrated Mass on Thursday, 15 September 2011, 50 years after his death, a monument to Tpr Mullins was dedicated in the presence of Minister of Defence Mr Alan Shatter TD, Chief of Staff Lt Gen Seán McCann, Tpr Mullins's family, his former colleagues from 35 Inf Bn, and retired and serving personnel from Óglaigh na hÉireann and from his unit 1 Cav Sqn. In recent years, during direct contact with the brothers and sisters of Tpr Mullins, the current generation of Defence Forces senior leadership constantly reminded the family that their brother Pat will always be remembered as a gallant and brave soldier, who fought and died in action. In the 20th century the phrase 'Lest We Forget' (the refrain of Kipling's poem Recessional) became a plea to society not to forget past sacrifices and since 2006 this phrase has driven our approach to the process of commemorating Tpr Mullins. Accordingly, the Defence Forces was de- lighted when the Mullins family endorsed the inclusion of the words 'Lest We Forget' on the monument. This monument, commissioned by the Defence Forces and designed by Lt Col John Hanlon, Corps of Engineers, is a symbol of appreciation for the honourable and faith- ful service that Tpr Mullins rendered this nation, his community in Kilbehenny, and the Defence Forces. Displaying those poi- gnant words 'Lest We Forget, this monu- ment reflects the lasting legacy of Trooper Pat Mullins. THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE

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