An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir April 2015 www.dfmagazine.ie 6 | oNe SouTheRN aRea CouNCil The ONE Southern Area Council (SAC) held their AGM on 21st February 2015 in Templemore Co Tipperary, and it was hosted by the Pierce McCann Branch. Pictured (L/R) is: Seamus Lawlor, Tony Canning, Billy O'Brien and Gerry Enright. Photo: Seamus Lawlor, PRO SAC, ONE euTM Mali On 24th February 2015 a Multi-national CSDP medal parade hosted by the Training Task Force, EUTM Mali Commander Brig Gen Alfonso García- Vaquero Pradal (ESP-A) was held in Koulikoro Training Centre (KTC). Where 198 personnel from 23 Troop Contributing Nations were presented medals - among those were 7 Irish DF personnel. Lt James Mulderrig is pictured receiving his CSDP Medal. Photo: Lt Col Johnny Whittaker, EO Training Task Force, EUTM Mali baTTle foR DeRMoT eaRley CuP The victorious Defence Forces team under the management of Fergal Costelloe and Dermot Earley Jnr beat Castlewellan of Down by 3-9 to 2-6 in the final at Gallarus in the West Kerry Gaeltacht as part of the PhoneWatch Comórtas Peile Páidí Ó Sé 2015 - the renowned international football festival which took place across the Dingle Peninsula on 22nd February 2015. The annual football festival which was attended by over 1,000 people and contested by 34 teams has become an international GAA event with senior, intermediate and junior clubs travelling this year from 11 different counties as well as Madrid, Brussels and parts of England. Photo: Philip Jones, MKC Communications JaveliN youNg guNS Pictured are students and instructors of the first Javelin Young Entry Course to be ran in the 6 Inf Bn, Athlone. Students were from: 6 Inf Bn, 7 Inf Bn and 2 Arty Regt. Photo: OIC Course, Lt Marie Pigott, 6 Inf Bn. viP viSiT Recently Dr Valarie Cummins the Director of IMERC from the National Maritime College Ireland (NMCI), Cork made a visit to Collins Bks Cork. Pictured (back row L/R): Comdt Ian Travers (OC 1 Fd CIS), Lt Emma Stanley (HQ 1 Bde), Comdt Pat O'Connor (OC 1 Cav Sqn), Comdt Kevin Higgins (OC 1 Bde Engrs) and Capt Enda Moynihan (1 Bde Ord Coy). (Front row L/R): Lt Col Niall Dowling (1 Bde Ord Offr), Dr Valarie Cummins (IMERC), Col Patrick Flynn (EO & 2I/C 1 Bde) and Lt Col John Hanlon (1 Bde Engr Offr). Photo: Sgt Don Sheehan, 1 Bde Press Office DoD faMiliaRiSaTioN viSiT A familiarisation visit of Dept of Defence (DoD) personnel to the DFTC took place on 27th February. The visit was designed for personnel who have recently transferred to the DoD from other Gov Depts and allowed the group to be briefed on DF Logistical facilities and support activities carried out in the DFTC. Pictured outside DF Vehicle Base Technical Stores are: Capt Barry Daly, Capt John Dicker and Comdt Mick Murray (DF Veh Base Wksps), John Doyle, Donal Heaphy, Barry Conroy, Declan Casey, Sally Curry, Declan O'Callaghan, Eileen Moyles and Grainne Guinan (All DoD), Col Sean O'Keeffe (HQ DFTC) and Cpl Powell (DFVBW). Photo: Col Sean O'Keeffe, SSO Services & Support, HQ DFTC

• Cover