Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 153: To ask the Minister for Defence his views on awarding the discretionary service medal to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny in recognition of their involvement in the recovery of the bodies of those who died in the Niemba ambush in the Congo in November 1960; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3494/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Defence Force Regulations A9 provide for the criteria and procedures for awarding Medals and Decorations to personnel of the Defence Forces. These Regulations require that any recommendations for possible awards must be made in accordance with the relevant procedures, and in the case of recommendations for the award of Distinguished Service Medals, such recommendation should be made not later than 4 years from the performance of the act in respect of which the recommendation is made. The military authorities advise that no such recommendation was made in this case.

The Military Medal for Gallantry (2nd Class) was awarded posthumously to Trooper Anthony Browne in respect of what has become known as the "Niemba Ambush". The Military Star was awarded to the families / next of kin of the nine members of the Defence Forces killed at the ambush. On 18 April 2007, I made a presentation to one of the survivors of the ambush at a ceremony in Cathal Brugha Barracks.

Currently there are no plans to make any further awards to personnel in respect of this incident.