An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir February 2016 www.dfmagazine.ie 6 | nsr CoMMissioning On 20th November 2015 the Naval Service Reserve held a Commissioning Ceremony in Haulbowline Naval Base, Cobh. Pictured L/R: Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Mark Mellett DSM, Ensigns Thomas Burke, Orla O'Shea, Kevin Whitney, and Minister for Defence Mr Simon Coveney TD. Orla O'Shea who was recently appointed as Principal Teacher of Scoil Mhaoiliosa, Knockavilla NS in Innishannon and is pictured with her class and COS and Minister. Photos by: Cpl Christine O'Leary, HQ 1 Bde World gallEry riflE CHaMpionsHips From the 12th - 16th November the World Gallery Rifle Championships took place in Leitmar, Germany. Over 120 competitive shooters from Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, Netherlands, Australia, South Africa and Germany took part in this prestigious event. There were nine different disciplines, 1500 Gallery Rifle small bore (GRSB), 1500 Gallery Rifle Centre Fire (GRCF), 1500 M1 Carbine, (T+P1) Time and precision (SB,CF,M1) Multi target (SB,CF,M1) and T+P2 CF. Each discipline has six classifications, unclassified, sharp shooter, marksman, expert, master and high master. Competitors compete for both individual and team events. The most coveted award is the International 1500 GRSB and 1500 GRCF team event, where each country enters their top five shooters in each event. Team GB (Great Britain) were winners of both events. Team Ireland achieved third place in the GRCF, narrowly missing out on second place by three points. There were 28 shooters from Ireland, these included Capt Ray Holohan (Air Corps), Cpl Jimmy Byrne (3 Inf Bn), Sgt Gavin Coventry (Cadet Sch) and Sgt John Cox (Retd now a DF civilian armourer). Between them they achieved 7 Gold, 5 Silver, 4 Bronze awards. All four DF personnel are members of Harbour House Sports Club, which was founded and developed by Comdt Tommy O'Brien (Retd) and is located in Nurney in Co Kildare. The World Championships will come to Ireland in 2017. Photo/Text: Sgt Gavin Coventry Cilt graduation Pictured at their recent graduation at The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) are from (L/R) is Paddy Doherty (CILT President), Cpl Ben O'Looney, Sgt Jennifer O'Neill (both J4 Logs) and Lt Col (Retd) Kevin Byrne (President elect of CILT International). Photo courtesy of: Ruth Lanigan national BraVEry aWard On 10th December 2013, Comdt Enda McDonald RDF, OC E Coy, 3 Inf Bn along with Rafal Piasecki used his ladder to enter the window of burning building in New Ross, Co Wexford to rescue an occupant - thus saving his life. For their actions Comdt McDonald and Mr Piasecki were awarded a Certificate of Bravery. Comdt McDonald is pictured with Mr. Sean Barrett TD, Ceann Comhairle, on 13th November 2015, in Farmleigh House. Photo: Comdt Enda McDonald Happy rEtirEMEnt On 3rd December 2015, Lt Col Des Doyle had a retirement lunch in Ceannt Officers Mess, DFTC. Pictured L/R are: 2/Lt Adam Doyle (Lt Col Doyle's son), Brig Gen Joe Mulligan GOC DFTC, Lt Col Des Doyle, Brig Gen Phillip Brennan, GOC 1 Bde and RSM Patrick Doyle, HQ DFTC. Photo by: Sgt JJ Ryan, HQ DFTC

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