Memorial to troops killed overseas to be unveiled

A memorial is to be unveiled in Co Tipperary this weekend to Irish soldiers who died in action overseas, it emerged today.

Defence Minister Willie O’Dea will perform the ceremony and deliver a speech at the event in St Mary’s Garden of Remembrance in Thurles on Sunday.

The event will coincide with the UN’s International Day of the Peacekeeper on which tributes are traditionally paid to all the men and women who have served and continue to serve in United Nations peacekeeping operations.

The granite and limestone memorial was organised by the local Duras Eile Eliogarty Memorial Committee.

Committee 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 have 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: “A total of 85 Irish soldiers have lost their lives while serving abroad on peacekeeping missions and we will be commemorating their sacrifice.

“Over 750 Irish soldiers are currently serving abroad on peacekeeping missions and their commitment to the cause of peace is also being marked.”

Archbishop of Cashel Dr Dermot Clifford is to attend the event as well as representatives from the Irish UN Association and the Irish Lebanese Culture Foundation.

Mr O’Dea is also due to visit Irish troops in Kosovo and Bosnia next week.

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.