Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday we got the news that Private Sean Rooney is to be honoured by the United Nations with a medal for his bravery in the loss of his life. This is a wonderful thing for the Rooney family, for the medal is a tangible remembrance of that man and the life he gave in the service of peace. I make a plea today, and asked the Acting Leader and Cathaoirleach to support it, that the Rooney family should be at United Nations headquarters to collect that medal. We should not hand it to an ambassador and let the ambassador send it home to the family. The man gave his life. It is the very least we should do.

Speaking of people who gave their lives, 91 people from the Irish forces have given their lives in the service of peace since 1958. It breaks my heart when I think of Billy Kedian lying in a cold grave in Ballyhaunis and three or four plots away from him Bob Gallagher, who was a United States serviceman, lies in the same graveyard. Gallagher is to have a corvette named after him in the United States navy. He has been honoured by that navy. Billy Kedian has never been honoured by the Irish State, nor have the men of Jadotville or the many others who have given their lives in the service of peace throughout the world. I ask that the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence order a complete review of every soldier engaged in an act of valour from 1958 and ensure the State remembers them and what they gave. The families of the 91 have nothing to show. The military star has been awarded to one or two but I get a military star if I get a heart attack and die overseas. It is not good enough. We have to go back and do that.