Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

This weekend is very special for all of us who wore uniforms, irrespective of where we wore them. It is the weekend on which we would commemorate the armistice and the loss of Irish lives in the First and Second World Wars. More importantly, 8 November, this weekend, will be a very poignant day in Irish military history because we will remember 60 years since the Niemba ambush, when Lieutenant Gleeson, Sergeant Gaynor, Corporals Kelly and Dougan, Privates Farrell, McGuinn and Killeen, and Troopers Fennell and Browne all lost their lives. If it is not inappropriate, I ask that we hold a moment’s silence today in the House. We had expected the Niemba ambush to have a particularly poignant remembrance this year, given that it has been 60 years since those men lost their lives. Unfortunately, however, because of Covid-19, there will be no such commemoration. It would be fitting of the House to remember in particular those who died in Niemba and, at the same time, to remember the thousands from Ireland who gave their lives in the First World War and Second World War. I am not sure whether it would be appropriate to take a minute's silence but it would be a noble thing for the House to do. I ask the Cathaoirleach to consider that at the end of the Order of Business.