Leader of Jadotville peacekeepers who withstood six-day siege is honoured

The leader of a company of more than 150 Irish UN peacekeepers who held out with few arms against 3,000 highly-trained mercenaries in the heat of the Congo has been honoured.

It seems a long way from the Congo to Cum a Ciste pass in Iveragh, Co Kerry, but this weekend saw the official unveiling of a plaque to Colonel Patrick Quinlan, a native of the parish of Caherdaniel, who led his troops at the siege of Jadotville 56 years ago.

The memorial created by sculptor Holger Lonze is a bronze relief set on Valentia slate to Colonel Pat Quinlan “of this parish”, who ensured the survival against the odds of the men under him — and whose recognition is long overdue.