Navy veterans to protest failure to award bravery medals

Navy veterans will be among a group planning to picket the office of Defence Minister Simon Coveney after he refused to award distinguished service Medals to two men who helped save a ship after it was rocked by a mine explosion.

Members of the Irish Seamen’s Relatives Association are planning to place the picket outside the minister’s constituency office in Carrigaline, Co Cork, on Saturday afternoon and outside the Naval Service headquarters at Haulbowline the following Tuesday.

They have been fighting to get the medals awarded to former able stoker Bill Mynes and t Pat O’Mahony.