Local monument unveiled to honour Jadotville troops

Event coincides with anniversary celebrations at Athlone's Assumption Road estate

by David Flynn

Thirteen soldiers from Assumption Road and their colleagues in Jadotville were remembered at the unveiling of a special monument in Wansboro Park, Athlone, on Sunday.

The poignant and moving ceremony was part of a weekend of events to mark the 72nd anniversary of the opening of the Assumption Road housing estate.

Every house in the terrace on the day was decorated with bunting showing Irish flag colours. The ceremony had been delayed for over two years due to Covid-19, but the sun shone down last Sunday afternoon for the residents past and present of Assumption Road, and the special guests who were included both ex and current military personnel at the ceremony. The men of Post 9, Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA) were in attendance at the ceremony.

Anthony Merrigan, ex-soldier and Chairman of Assumption Road Residents Association as well as member of the committee of the new Jadotville monument, acted as MC on the day in Wansboro Park. The park, which is located at the River Shannon end of the housing estate, is the location of the Jadotville monument.

Athlone Pipe Band played music and marched through the terrace from the fire brigade station to the Wansboro Park location, which began the day’s proceedings.

Anthony told the large gathering a brief history of Assumption Road, which included how the terrace was built by McInerney builders in 1950. He said that there were soldiers in the terrace from 24 counties, and that sadly three soldiers lost their lives in various conflicts. They were: John McGrath in the Congo in 1963, Niall Byrne in Lebanon in 1981 and William O’Brien, also in Lebanon, in 1986, and they are also commemorated on the monument.

Anthony said that there is a great military history in Assumption Road, and that the terrace had the highest number at the Siege of Jadotville of any area.

“There were thirteen Assumption Road soldiers at the siege, and we have placed thirteen Irish flags on the houses of the soldiers involved in Jadotville,” said Anthony. “There is a proud tradition on the street here with the army in Athlone and we’d like to remember the soldiers and their families.”

After a minute’s silence, Anthony thanked Westmeath County Council and Cllr Frankie Keena, who was a committee member, for the community grants that helped in the construction of the monument.

Mayor of Athlone Cllr Vinny McCormack said the fantastic turnout on the day shows the real pride the people of Assumption Road had for their area and for the people who came before them.

“The area is a real model of what an area can be, and the housing estate is a great example to the wider community. There are huge links here with the military and the Defence Forces. There is a great residents association and organising committee and everything looks fantastic and there was huge planning and preparation for today.”

“Ireland has a long and distinguished service in peacekeeping, which was selfless and compassionate, and surely there has never been a finer hour than the five day siege, with its astonishing story of heroism,” said the Mayor. “We will be forever proud of our men in Jadotville and the story of Jadotville will be told for generations to come.”

Leo Quinlan, the son of Comdt. Pat Quinlan, who commanded the 155 men at Jadotville, was one of the guest speakers on the day. He talked in detail of his memories of 1961 when he was a boy having to deliver messages about the troops in Jadotville to the residents of the terrace.

He was there when the good news was delivered to the residents from an official of Custume Barracks that all the men of Jadotville had survived the siege and would be coming home. A few days previously the Evening Herald had wrongly reported that all the men had been killed.

“The Battle of Jadotville was the single biggest battle the Irish army has been involved in on its own against a foreign army, since the foundation of the state,” said Leo Quinlan.

He praised the men of Assumption Road who were involved in Jadotville and told some interesting anecdotes including about the late resident and Jadotville veteran Martin McCabe being his scoutmaster in the 1960s, before he joined the FCA. Mr. Quinlan also said that Willie Sweeney from Assumption Road and himself were on the same Ranger courses. He also talked about people like Jadotville veteran, Geoff Cuffe’s son, Fr Liam being a Jadotville baby!

“There were many children born after the men came home,” he said.

Lt. Col. Oliver Clear of Custume Barracks also addressed the gathering and said the monument is a fitting tribute to the men of Jadotville.

He talked about the services and sacrifices, which the men gave to the Defence Forces, and praised the families for the similar sacrifices. Lt Col Clear talked about families doing without fathers and sons, communities doing without their leaders and sports clubs without their members.

“It’s important to remember those that made the sacrifice that allowed those people to do what they did in Jadotville,” said Lt. Col. Clear.

Jadotville Monument Committee member Cllr Frankie Keena told the gathering that the importance of Custume Barracks to Athlone continues to be paramount, and he highlighted the barracks current status within the Defence Forces.

“Many soldiers are located here and have raised their families here and it’s important that Custume Barracks regains its higher status within the Defence Forces and I await in hope that the final outcome of the Commissioners Review of the Defence Forces will deliver for Athlone,” said Cllr Keena.

He talked about the residents at the ceremony not just being from Assumption Road, but also from other adjoining estates like Tormey Villas and St Kieran’s Terrace.

Cllr Keena said the ceremony hadn't happened by chance but because of a hard-working committee and the numerous volunteers’ community spirit. “Since 8 am this morning, the terrace was alive with people doing things. People now have a place of reflection and remembrance for those who took part in the Siege of Jadotville.”

Anthony Merrigan called on Mayor McCormack and Leo Quinlan to unveil the Jadotville monument, which was followed by Chairman of Post 9 IUNVA, Peter Phillips, reading the soldier poem, which is etched on the monument.

Fr Padraig Kelliher from St. Mary’s Church gave a blessing on the day followed by local man, Sean Malone singing a riveting version of ‘The Parting Glass’.

Two of the Jadotville soldiers, Joseph O’Kane and Paddy Hogan laid a wreath at the monument in memory of the Jadotville members, no longer alive.

One of the show-stoppers of the ceremony was the release of a group of peace doves by Kathleen Lynch from Assumption Road, wife of the late Michael Lynch, who served in Jadotville.

The Athlone Pipe Band played the Last Post and Jadotville soldier, Geoff Cuffe raised the national flag – ending a beautiful ceremony in honour of the men.