Athlone army duo are commissioned as officers

Two Athlone men were among 35 officers commissioned into the Defence Forces at a ceremony in the Curragh, Co Kildare, last week. Lt Patrick Ryan from Coosan and Lt Alan Burke, also from Athlone, were commissioned into the Defence Forces last Thursday. A total of 35 officers, five women and 30 men, were commissioned. Lt Ryan will be stationed in Dublin, while Lt Burke will be stationed in Donegal. Lt Ryan is the son of Lt Col Pat Ryan and Ann Ryan. The new officers completed a very busy, challenging and rewarding 15-month basic officer training to take up appointments as junior leaders throughout the army. In receiving this Presidential commission the new officers took an oath of allegiance to be "faithful to Ireland and loyal to the Constitution". With 16 graduates, eight with Reserve Defence Forces experience, a former stockbroker, a former teacher and a former solicitor the 85 Cadet Class had a broad background and will be challenged by their new careers as junior leaders in the Defence Forces, both at home and serving abroad in the name of peace. Ten of these newly commissioned officers have been posted to the 4 Western Brigade and arrived in Athlone yesterday (Tuesday) for briefings before joining their new units. Five will take up appointments in Custume barracks, Athlone, three take up appointments in Finner Camp, Donegal and one each in Galway and Mullingar. On commissioning day, GOC of the 4th Western Brigade Brig Gen Gerry Hegarty spoke with the newly commissioned officers and welcomed them to the Western Brigade.