An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir September 2017 www.dfmagazine.ie 10 | VETERAN'S NEWS VETERAN'S NEWS VETERAN'S NEWS By SGT WAyNE FITzGERAlD Jadotville veteRan ReMeMBeRed O n Saturday 15th July, a celebration of the life of Siege of Jadotville veteran, Pte Terry Mc- Mahon (RIP), took place in Balbriggan. The astounding work of the Balbriggan & District histori- cal Society, who acknowledged the generous support they received from Fingal County Council and heri- tage Officer Gerry Clabby, was responsible for this project to commemorate a true soldier of Ireland. Pte Terry McMahon volunteered to serve with 35 Inf Bn in the UN peacekeeping mission to the Congo in 1961. This unit has subsequently become known as the 'Jadot- ville tigers', af- ter their heroic performance at the Siege of Jadotville, where 150 Irish soldiers fought off numerous attacks from an estimated 3,000-plus Katangan force led by Belgian mercenaries. The idea of a commemo- rative plaque for Terry in the centre of town came about af ter a conver- sation between his brother, Anthony, and May McKeon, a member of the Balbriggan & District Historical Society and former local councillor. The day began with a commemorative Mass in St Peter & Paul's Church, celebrated by Fr Eugene Taaffe PP and assisted by Fr Liam Cuffe, who is the son of another Jadotville veteran, Sgt Geoffrey Cuffe. Fol- lowing Mass a Defence Forces colour party of RDF members from E Coy, 27 Inf Bn, led a parade including members of IUNVA and ONE; local volunteer groups; scouts; and members of the Balbriggan & District Historical Society. The groups formed up outside the church, before marching to George's Square, where the national flag was raised from half-mast as the St Pat- rick's Brass and Reed Band played the national anthem. The ceremony concluded with the unveiling of the plaque by the Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Mary Mc- Camley, followed by some touching speeches. Members of the McMahon family were pres- ent, most of whom had travelled from abroad for the ceremony, including Terry's brother, An- thony - who is also a Defence Forces veteran and served with the UN in Cyprus in the 1960s. Reservist Cpl Ross McGee, E Coy, 27 Inf Bn, who was in the colour party, said: "This was a proud mo- ment for me as the McMahon family and my fam- ily are good friends, and I knew Terry as a kid." Af ter the ceremony many people went to the Bracken Court Hotel, where they had the opportunity to dis- cuss Jadotville with some veterans of the siege and were treated to a presentation on the siege, given by Col Pat Quinlan's son, Comdt Leo Quinlan (retd). We will finish with a few more words from Cpl Ross McGee: "Terry passed away with little note in 1997, but he was very warmly remembered during this ceremony and will be remembered in the future with this plaque placed on his old family home." RDF members from E Coy, 27 Inf Bn. The parade through Balbriggan. Pte Terrence McMahon, Jadotville 1961. L/R: Terence's brother John, Jadotville Veteran Mick Dunne, Terence's sister Julia, and his brother Anthony. Terrence McMahon's Plaque.

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