Shelly steals a march on her fellow recruits

A JUNIOR Government minister had more than a passing interest in a passing out parade at Collins Barracks in Cork yesterday.

Junior Defence Minister Paul Kehoe looked on with pride as his niece, Recruit Shelly Kehoe, and her comrades in 124 Recruit Platoon, marked the completion of the first phase of their gruelling military training with a ceremony on the barracks’s vast parade square.

It was the first passing out parade held at Collins Barracks in several years, following the introduction by the former government of the public service recruitment embargo.

However, Shelly was among 34 recruits from all over Munster who took the oath of enlistment, swearing allegiance to Ireland and the constitution, during yesterday’s ceremony which was watched by dozens of proud family members.

Recruit Kehoe, 20, from the Ballagh, in Co Wexford, was also presented with the Esprit de Corps award, for displaying team spirit during her training.

She plays senior camogie for Wexford and has six All Ireland and three national league titles.

Recruit Stephen Pratt, 21, from Rathcormac, Co Cork, whose father served in the Cavalry Squadron for 31 years, won the “Best Shot” award.

Recruit Alan O’Connell, 22, from Watergrasshill, in Cork, was presented with the “Best Tactical Student” award, and Recruit Keith Landers, from Cappoquin, Co Waterford, won the “Best Overall Recruit” award.

The awards were presented by Brigadier General Paul Pakenham, General Officer Commanding of the 1st Southern Brigade, who said yesterday’s ceremony was a proud day for each recruit’s family.

The recruit training, overseen by Commandant Sean Dunne — commanding officer of the Brigade Training Centre — equips two-star soldiers with basic military skills.

The members of 124 Platoon will begin three-star soldier training early next month, before moving on to specialist soldier training courses.