An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir March 2015 www.dfmagazine.ie 12 | by SGT KARL BYRNE PhOtOS CPL NEVILLE COUGHLAN (ExCEPT SIERRA LEONE) O n 11th November 2014, the Minister for Defence Mr Simon Coveney tD announced that members of the Defence Forces would go to Sierra Leone to assist in dealing with the Ebola crisis in West Africa. "Irish Defence Forces personnel have a sterling record of service in support of humanitarian crises across the globe," the minister said. "Working in partnership with the Dept of Foreign Affairs and Trade under the ECAT [Emergency Civilian Assistance Team] initiative, and pos- sibly with the UK armed forces, these soldiers will bring a wealth of experience that enhances Ireland's support to the people of Sierra Leone." While there has been a three-man team from the DF deployed in Sierra Leone since November to support staff in the Irish Embassy in Freetown, the new group would be comprised of medical personnel and would be the first to deploy to an Ebola-stricken area. With the first cases in March 2014, the current out- break in West Africa is the largest and most complex Ebola outbreak since the virus was first discovered in 1976, with more cases and deaths in this outbreak than all others combined. On 5th January 2015 Minister Coveney travelled to Col- lins Barracks, Cork, to meet the team of four medics and one doctor before their departure for Sierra Leone. Af ter being greeted by GOC 1 Bde, Brig Gen Kieran Brennan, and inspecting an honour guard, the minister was intro- duced to the five-man team of Capt Eugene O'Connor, Sgt Dave Sliney, Cpl Pierce Foley, Cpl Frank Noonan and Tpr Richard Fitzgerald. The minister shook hands with each member of the team and posed for photographs before they retired to the Offi- cers' Mess, where Mr Coveney spoke to the team at length about how important their mission was and how it was extremely important that Ireland play a part in the current Ebola crisis. The team have committed to a three-month tour of duty, which at first glance may not seem like a long time, but being away from home and working under such severe condi- tions could make it seem like a lifetime. Capt O'Connor working before heading to Sierra Leone.

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