18 | PHOTOS BY ARMN NEVILLE COUGHLAN (UNLESS OTHERWISE ACCREDITED) O
ST PATRICK'S DAY Home and Away
n St Patrick's Day 2012, 524 Irish soldiers were deployed in 14 countries across the globe on peace-sup- port missions. From Congo to Kosovo, Afghanistan to Uganda, Irish troops not on duty celebrated our national day with a mixture of military and national tradition.
Chief of Staff Lt Gen Seán McCann sent this message to the members of Óglaigh na hÉireann who are serv-
ing overseas: "Let me express my best wishes and gratitude to you, the men and women of the Irish Defence Forces, as you celebrate our national day far from home: your commitment and professionalism remains a source of great pride."
Blessing of the shamrock in Mullingar by Father Bob McCabe, with Lt Col Ray Yorke (OC 4 Fd Arty Reg) and RSM Noel O'Callaghan (4 Fd Arty Reg). The Regiment was appointed Grand Marshall of the 2012 St Patrick's Day Parade. Photo: RSM O'Callaghan
Just one among many RDF berets decorated with shamrock on St Patrick's Day. Photo by Pte David Flood (62 Res Fd Eng Coy)
62 Res RDF Inf Bn with members of the Republic of Belarus Army Band, taken just before the start of the Dublin Patrick's Day parade. Photo by: Mike Barrett CQMS (62 Res RDF Inf Bn)
The Doyle family who attended the parade in Bandon Co Cork, with eight out of nine marked present. Photo: BSM Leslie Doyle (HQ 1 S Bde)
An Cosantóir April 2012 www.dfmagazine.ie
