Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the House. Members of the Civil Engagement Group wholeheartedly support this motion to recognise the gallantry of the soldiers of A Company who fought bravely and professionally in the siege of Jadotville in 1961. It is paramount that after 59 years we finally recognise and honour the bravery, professionalism and gallantry of the 155 Irish soldiers who fought and defended themselves during this failed peacekeeping mission in Katanga. I cannot begin to imagine the fear and terror experienced by those young men when they had to fight for their lives for five days straight. These men were as young as 15 years old having to fight to survive against 4,000 soldiers until they had no choice but to call for a ceasefire when they ran out of water. We are all family members, and as a mother, I shudder to think of the poor families suffering at home knowing that once the siege had finished, their sons, brothers and husbands were held captive in prisoner of war camps for six weeks. The soldiers were at the mercy of others until the UN could finally negotiate their release.

It is a story of profound trauma that nobody should ever have to experience. I cannot begin to imagine the panic and hopelessness that they must have felt at the time. It is essential that we not only recognise their struggle today but also recognise the masterful skills of Commandant Pat Quinlan, under whom the men of A Company fought valiantly. He has since been referred to as a masterful tactician. His foresight allowed them to prepare defences and dig trenches for an anticipatory attack that would ultimately ensure the survival of all 155 peacekeepers.

It is high time that they be awarded distinguished service medals. The siege of Jadotville is a major part of Irish history and we must treat it and remember it as such. More has been done in recent years to honour and remember the heroes, but these medals would signify a deep mark of respect and gratitude with the highest of Irish military awards and decorations. I believe with every fibre of my being that these heroes are more than deserving of such an accolade.

Noel Carey was only 24 years old and he remembered thinking to himself on 13 September as the battle broke out, "As the shells and bullets rained down on us, I just thought ... we were supposed to be peacekeepers, now we’re all going to get killed.” The men spent the following six weeks in captivity where Irish men as young as 15 were held in camps until the United Nations negotiated their release.

Perhaps the most painful part of this history is how the men of A Company were treated when they returned to Ireland. They were publicly condemned and referred to as cowards for calling for a ceasefire. They were viewed as weak by the press and media. Their bravery, masterful tactics and gallantry were all forgotten and pasted over with shame. For that I feel deep regret. The most heartbreaking part of the story is that from the group of 155 soldiers, five of them took their own lives after the trauma they had experienced and the public condemnation. This shows me that we failed them. These men could not get the help they needed in a mental health crisis. The trauma they carried was too heavy to live with. We failed them. We cannot fail them again. This deeply upsetting and unfair part of our history needs to be remembered, as does their pain and suffering. We simply cannot allow these heroes to be forgotten.

I am very glad to hear that this issue is receiving further consideration. I am sure we would all agree that it would be great to see these men receive the distinguished service medals and military medals for gallantry, which would show a sincere mark of respect and gratitude to the men of A Company and acknowledge the siege of Jadotville as a cherished part of our Irish history.