It was great to spend the day recording the personal accounts of veterans from Ireland’s deployment to the Congo (1960 – 1964) with Opération des Nations Unies au Congo (ONUC). Seamus Ua Trodd, Thomas Gunn, Noel O’Neill, Shay Delaney, and Gregory Leech recalled their memories of service with the 1stInfantry Group, 34th 35th, and 39th
Opération des Nations Unies au Congo
09 - September , 2022
In the Service of Peace – Congo Veterans
27 - July , 2020
Ireland Deploys to Congo 60 Years Ago Today
Ireland Deploys to Congo 60 Years Ago Today 60 years ago today, Ireland deployed troops on its first battalion size United Nations deployment. The Congo became independent from Belgium on 30 June 1960, in turn triggering a sequence of destabilising events. The Belgian commander, Lieutenant General Émile Janssens, refused to rapidly ‘Africanize’ the officers’ corps
22 - October , 2019
Sergeant Noel McGivern: retired Emergency and United Nations veteran with the Irish Defence Forces.
Sergeant Noel McGivern: retired Emergency and United Nations veteran with the Irish Defence Forces. Project: Dublin Port’s Emergency Story This week we had the pleasure of meeting Noel McGivern and his wife Patsy. Noel gave us a remarkable insight into life in the early Defence Forces. His father Daniel McGivern had served during the War
27 - January , 2017
In Defence of Peace – The Siege of Jadotville
In Defence of Peace The Siege of Jadotville By James Durney Published in Winter 2016 edition The United Nations Operation in the Congo (Opération des Nations Unies au Congo, or ONUC), was established in July 1960. Ireland was one of the first countries to contribute peacekeepers to the mission. In June 1961, the Irish Defence