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BY SGT WAYNE FITZGERALD PHOTOS CPL NOEL COSS
VETERANS RECALL HAPPY MEMORIES O
Balrothery, Co Dublin. The centre looks after people with a range of health problems, including Alzheim- er's illness and brain injuries and provides pre- and post-transplant convalescent care, as well as day care and respite care. Two of the facility's residents are retired Defence Forces personnel, Pte Oliver Reilly and Sgt Patrick Reilly (no relation). Oliver (aged 76), from Stamullen,
n August 2nd staff from An Cosantóir visited Hamilton Park Residential Facility in
Co Meath, served in Gormanston Camp with Tpt Pl, Air Corps Admin Coy, from 1957-1980. Oliver is a vet- eran of 37 Inf Gp ONUC, Congo, and also served with UNICYP, Cyprus, in 1973. Patrick (aged 86) from Granard, Co Longford, served 25 years and also finished his service in Gorman- ston Camp, although he had a long career prior to that with 5 Inf Bn in Collins Bks, Dublin. The two former soldiers' behav-
ioural therapist in the centre is a serving RDF member, Cpl Gillian Dunne of A Coy, 65 Inf Bn, based in Swords. Gillian, who has served six years in the RDF, had contacted us to let us know about the two retirees who still enjoy having the Cosantóir read out to them. Director of Nursing, Debra Lynch, said that along with family visits, seeing us in uniform and hearing stories from An Cosantóir will help Patrick and Oliver to relive their old soldiering memo- ries, which also helps the residence with their care. We hope our two former col-
leagues will enjoy this article and we send them our best wishes.
An Cosantóir October 2012 www.dfmagazine.ie
Pictured (L/R): Debra Lynch, Patrick Reilly, Oliver Reilly and Gillian Dunne
