
61st Anniversary of the Niemba Ambush
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Ollie O’Connor, ONE CEO welcomed all those in attendance.
The 33 Inf Bn was dispatched on 16th August 1960 to the Congo, this was following a further UN request for more troops. 33 Inf Bn was located in different parts of Albertville, except for A Coy, which was located in Kamina.
Ollie O’Connor, ONE CEO said, “I want to especially welcome the families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice on 8th November 1960 in Niemba, the families of others who have since passed away, and all of our Congo Veterans that have joined us today. I also wish to mention Joe Fitzpatrick, a survivor of the ambush and to remember Tommy Kenny who also survived the ambush but who passed away in the past week. May he Rest in Peace.”
Wreaths were laid by the following, Cllr Mary Freehill, on behalf of the Lord Mayor of Dublin; Lt-General Seán Clancy on behalf of the Defence Forces; Ms Jacqui McCrum, Secretary-General, Dept of Defence on behalf of the Dept of Defence; National President of ONE Mr Diarmuid Higgins on behalf of ONE; Brig Gen Shay Ó Giolán (Retd), President of ARCO, Michael Colton, Chairman IUNVA; Capt Charlie O’Rourke (Retd), from the 33 Inf Bn; Comdt Luke Foley, President of RACO; Mark Keane, President of PDFORRA; Comdt (AR) Eugene Gargan, President of RDFRA, Lt Col Ken Martin (Retd), President of the Royal British Legion; Bryan Gildea, President Naval Association; Paul Hoey, French Foreign Legion Association; Chief Superintendent Patrick Mc Memamin, on behalf of An Garda Síochána. The families and guests present were invited to lay a wreath along with other veterans’ associations.
“Cuimhnímis – Remember Those Who Served”
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