An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 27 by SGT WAyNE FITzGERALD PhotoS by DOMNICK WALSH PHOTOGRAPHy www.dwalshphoto.ie O n Monday 20th February 2017, Kerry County Council (KCC) hosted a civic reception to honour members of the Defence Forces for their contribution to world peace through Un peacekeeping. Comdt Cathal Keohane (2i/c 12 Inf Bn) and members of the DF and RDF based in Sarsfield Bks, Limerick, the majority of whom live in Co Kerry, were welcomed to the Council Chamber by Cllr Jim Finucane (Leas-Cathaoirleach KCC). Cllr Finucane expressed his delight at welcoming the troops and said: "We, as a local authority, express our pride and gratitude to the members of our Defence Forces who, for decades, have given tremen- dous service to the State both at home and abroad." Comdt Keohane accepted an award on behalf of the Defence Forces, saying: "We feel the link between Kerry people and the Defence Forces very deeply, and would like to express our gratitude for the honour today." The Defence Forces currently contributes 604 personnel to 15 dif- ferent missions throughout the world, which Cllr Finucane described as "a remarkable achievement." Currently the main deployment is to UNIFIL in Lebanon, with 379 personnel, followed by UNDOF on the Golan Heights with 136. Speaking of Ireland's legacy as international defenders of the peace, Cllr Finucane said: "Defence Forces personnel conduct their duties on behalf of the Irish people, but also on behalf of the international community; taking on hazardous and difficult duties in some of the most dangerous parts of the globe. This tremendous service enhances Ireland and the Irish people's reputa- tion as honest brokers internationally, benefitting our citizens, trade, politics and culture. "Almost 70,000 individual tours of duty have been completed to hostile regions throughout the world, protecting the most vulnerable people on the planet." The Defence Forces has unbroken service in the cause of world peace on over 70 UN or UN-approved missions since 1958, although this legacy was not achieved without sacrifice, with 87 members of the Defence Forces paying the ultimate price in the cause of world peace. Cllr Finucane said DF personnel from Kerry had also played their part and spoke very highly of our veterans: "We remember John O'Mahony from Scartaglen who was shot and wounded during peace- keeping duties in Lebanon in 1980. We also honour the late Jimmy Lucey of Caragh Lake who fought at the siege of Jadotville in 1961 in the Congo under the command of Pat Quinlan from the parish of Caher- daniel. May they rest in peace." In his closing remarks Cllr Finucane said: "We in Kerry County Coun- cil, are immensely proud of what you do and the service you provide to keep the peace in dangerous and war-torn parts of our world. Your patriotism, courage and civic duty are an example to all the citizens of Ireland. We wish you continued safe and successful service in the name of Ireland and the UN in the years to come." Many thanks to Owen O'Shea, Media & Communications, KCC, for his help with this article. Cllr Jim Finucane presents an award to Comdt Keohane. Cpl Emily Woods from Brosna Co Kerry and Cpl Aishling Griffin RDF, Listowel Co Kerry , both 12 Inf Bn. Two Defence Forces veterans and members of the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA) from Co Kerry. The visiting group in the KCC Civic Chamber

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