Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

This morning I rise to inform the House that Quartermaster Sergeant Michael Tighe passed away yesterday. Michael Tighe was one of the Jadotville heroes who have been neglected and ignored by this State for the past 65 or 70 years. It breaks my heart to think of Michael going to his final resting place still unrecognised by the State. Michael was one of the three people who attended Enda Kenny's office some years back and convinced him to have An Bonn Jadotville. It was a campaign medal awarded to all those who served in Jadotville. Contrast the treatment of Irish veterans with those of the United States. In Ballyhaunis, County Mayo, Corporal Patrick "Bob" Gallagher's eternal remains rest. Fifty-five years ago yesterday, Corporal Gallagher gave his life in the Vietnam war. So highly did the United States think of his gallantry that they have named a ship after him, the USS Patrick Gallagher. Just a few headstones away from Corporal Gallagher lie the eternal remains of Private Billy Kedian. Billy was in Lebanon when the unit he was with came under mortar attack. In order to save his comrades' lives, he threw his body at the door of the building they were in and he lost his life. Billy has never been recognised by this State - never. I could go on and name the people who saved John O'Connor, who was shot the day he arrived in Lebanon. While he was severely wounded and dying, Dick O'Hanlon, Martin Fahy and two others went, under fire, to his rescue, carried him to a medical aid centre and saved his life. They have never been recognised. May those who have prevented medals being awarded to these heroes hang their heads in shame forever because they owe these men a damn sight more than they have ever given them. Our Defence Forces have always been treated badly in this country, and today I am rightly angry about the way we treat our heroes. We treat all Defence Forces personnel badly, but our heroes particularly.