Memorial to soldiers who died on overseas duty

DEFENCE Minister Willie O’Dea will unveil a memorial in Tipperary this weekend to Irish soldiers who died in action overseas.

The event, in St Mary’s Garden of Remembrance in Thurles, coincides with the UN’s International Day of the Peacekeeper.

The memorial was organised by the Duras Eile Eliogarty Memorial Committee whose chairman, John Wort, said: “We want to make people more aware of their local and national history.

“The UN monument recognises the peacekeepers’ high level of professionalism, dedication and courage and also honours the memory of those who lost their lives in the cause of peace.”

Three other memorials in St Mary’s Garden commemorate Thurles men and women who died in the First World War and the struggle for Irish independence and the nine Irish UN soldiers who died in the Niemba ambush in the Congo in 1960.

Mr O’Dea said: “Eighty five Irish soldiers have lost their lives on peacekeeping missions and we will be commemorating their sacrifice. Over 750 Irish soldiers are currently serving on peacekeeping missions and their commitment to the cause of peace is also being marked.”

Mr O’Dea will visit Irish troops in Kosovo and Bosnia next week.

Archbishop of Cashel Dr Dermot Clifford will also attend the Thurles memorial as well as representatives from the Irish UN Association and the Irish Lebanese Culture Foundation.

The Duras Eile Eliogarty Memorial Committee acquired the rundown St Mary’s Garden of Remembrance site in 1999 and renovated it with locally-raised funds.