Veteran peacekeeper honoured for Chad mission

One of Ireland’s highest military honours was today awarded to a veteran peacekeeper for his work in war-torn Chad.

Lieutenant General Pat Nash received the Distinguished Service Medal with Honour for his role as Operation Commander during UN missions to the African state.

The senior soldier, who was only recently awarded France’s highest military honour, said he was delighted with the latest award.

“This is a great day for me,” he said.

“It is a combination of almost 45 years of service. Little did I think back in 1964 when I joined the Defence Forces that I would achieve what I have achieved.”

Defence Minister Willie O’Dea praised the Limerick-born soldier for his hard work and commitment in the often dangerous missions.

“The professionalism shown by him and his staff has brought great honour on the Defence Forces and on this nation,” he said, at the presentation at McKee Barracks in Dublin.

The now retired Lt Gen. Nash paid tribute to his wife Deirdre and his three sons for their support.

“Now I can look back with a certain satisfaction because throughout my career I have been very fortunate to have got very good appointments,” he said.

“Some off those have been exceedingly difficult. For example trying to mold together so many disparate views and ideologies and at the same time deploying a force into one of the harshest and most remote parts of the world but I’m pleased to say we did it, within schedule, on time and on budget.”

The top-ranking Army man was last month awarded the Officier de la Legion D’Honneur, France’s highest military honour, by President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Lt Gen. Nash primarily served within the United Nations Forces in Lebanon, Cyprus, the former Yugoslavia and most recently Chad.

His appointment as Operation Commander in Chad was the highest ever appointment held by a member of the Defence Forces in an international position.