Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

In September 1961, 155 men from A Company, 35th Infantry Battalion, under the command of the late Commandant Pat Quinlan fought bravely against overwhelming odds for five days in the siege of Jadotville, Congo, against a force of over 3,000 mercenaries and Katangese forces. These brave Irish men followed orders and miraculously suffered no fatalities, while the enemy suffered 300 dead and 750 wounded. Sadly, after 56 years, certain officers and non-commissioned officers recommended for medals for leadership and bravery by Commandant Quinlan have not yet received their awards.

Commandant Quinlan has never been recommended for bravery and leadership. This is completely unbelievable when one considers his extraordinary achievement. This should be rectified immediately.

The fifth year history students in Galway community college, led by their teacher, Philip Cribbin, who is in the Gallery today, have been petitioning politicians, Ministers and have also contacted the Taoiseach, requesting that these medals be awarded. In addition, 200 students from Malahide community school, Dublin, some of whom also are in the Gallery today, have similarly petitioned for the award of these medals. I am especially proud to have retired Commandant Leo Quinlan, son of the late Pat Quinlan, as well as Jadotville veterans, Quartermaster Sergeant Michael Tighe and Corporal Tadhg Quinn, as my guests in the Dáil today.

Sadly, only 41 survivors from the siege of Jadotville are still alive today. On behalf of the students from Galway community college, I appeal to the Taoiseach to award medals to the officers and NCOs, as recommended by Commandant Pat Quinlan in 1961 following 56 years of campaigning.

The Taoiseach is no doubt aware of the fact that a 1965 military board considered the recommendation of Commandant Pat Quinlan that medals be awarded to eight or nine of his officers and NCOs who were under his command in Jadotville. No medals were awarded and no one seems to know why. Only recently, I learned that when that board met in 1965, it was not asked to consider the actions of the commander of the day, Commandant Quinlan. Commandant Pat Quinlan should be considered for a medal of recognition of his outstanding military and tactical leadership in the field of battle. The evidence is clear from his actions: Commandant Quinlan saved the lives of his men in his company.

I understand that the awarding of medals for members of the Defence Forces falls to a military board that reports to the Chief of Staff. I believe that the time is right to ask the Chief of Staff, Vice Admiral Mark Mellett, to appoint a medals board to review the awarding of medals of the solders of Jadotville. In particular, such a board should review the awarding of a medal to Commandant Pat Quinlan. Will the Taoiseach support the officers, NCOs and men from the siege of Jadotville, as well as their families, and ask Vice Admiral Mellett to convene the board as a matter of urgency? Furthermore, will the Taoiseach commit to reporting progress to the House following his discussions with Vice Admiral Mellett?

See this speech in context